Glenelly, Glass Collection Merlot, 2019
Glenelly, Glass Collection Merlot, 2019
- 75cl
- 14.5%
- Red Still
- Merlot
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2030
Glenelly is one of Stellenbosch's more impressive estates, founded by May de Lencquesaing — the former owner of Pichon Lalande — who brought an unapologetically Bordeaux-trained eye to the Cape.
The Glass Collection is her entry point, and the Merlot is a reliable pointer to what the estate does well: ripe, concentrated fruit handled with enough discipline to keep it from sprawling.
The 2019 is already drinking comfortably — the fruit is generous and accessible, and the tannins have settled into the wine rather than sitting on top of it. Over the next two to three years, the oak spice will continue to integrate and the fruit may take on a slightly more savoury, dried-plum character. We wouldn't expect a dramatic secondary phase; this is a wine built for pleasure in the near term rather than long-haul cellaring. By 2030 it will likely be at or just past its peak, so there's no real case for keeping it beyond that.
What the critics say:
"Aromas of gravel, rose hip, plum and black cherry. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Rich and dense, but with mineral undertones that give clarity and definition. Textural finish. Sustainable. Drink now. Screw cap."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby-crimson with good depth and a clean, bright rim.
NoseDark plum and ripe black cherry lead, with a lift of spice and a subtle chocolate richness from the oak. There's something almost confected about it — warm and inviting, like a Black Forest dessert in its prime, but without veering into jamminess.
PalateFull and generous in fruit, with the concentration you'd expect from a warm Cape vintage, but the tannins are fine-grained and well-knitted rather than grippy. French oak adds a gentle spice framework without dominating. The fruit is the point here, and it delivers.
FinishWarm and rounded, with a lingering note of dark fruit and a faint cocoa dryness on the close.
Overall impressionA richly satisfying Cape Merlot that's drinking well right now and won't improve dramatically with further age.
Food Pairings
In Stellenbosch, this style of Merlot would be poured without hesitation alongside a braai — slow-grilled lamb chops or beef sosaties with sweet and smoky char are a natural match for the wine's dark fruit and spice. Boeuf bourguignon-style pot roasts are equally at home, as the wine has enough body to stand up to rich braised meat. A simple platter of aged Karoo lamb with roasted root vegetables would also work beautifully. Locally, Cape Malay-influenced dishes with warm spice — cinnamon, clove, dried fruit — find a pleasing echo in the wine's character.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at around 16-17°C — cool enough to keep the fruit lively, warm enough to let the oak integrate. A 20-30 minute decant will open it up nicely and round off any remaining tightness, though it's approachable without one. A standard Bordeaux-shaped glass works well, giving the wine enough room to breathe without losing its concentration.
Glenelly's vineyards sit on the granite-rich slopes of the Simonsberg mountain in Stellenbosch, at elevations between 200 and 400 metres. The decomposed granite soils drain well and force the vines to work for their water, producing fruit with concentration and structure. The altitude tempers the Cape's heat, extending the growing season and preserving natural acidity — something you can feel in the freshness that underpins the Glass Collection Merlot's ripe fruit.
Stellenbosch is South Africa's most celebrated red wine appellation, sitting inland from Cape Town across a varied landscape of mountain slopes, valleys, and coastal plains. The region's mix of granite, sandstone, and clay soils — combined with the moderating influence of False Bay — makes it particularly well suited to Bordeaux varieties, Syrah, and Chenin Blanc. Compared to the warmer Swartland or the more Mediterranean Walker Bay, Stellenbosch tends to produce wines with more structure and weight, particularly from its elevated sites around the Simonsberg and Helderberg mountains.
The 2019 growing season in Stellenbosch followed a familiar South African script: drought stress through summer, then perfectly timed late rains that arrived just as the vines needed them most. We find this vintage fascinating because it captures that sweet spot where water stress concentrated flavours without shutting down the vines entirely. The harvest stretched longer than usual, allowing winemakers to pick each block at proper ripeness rather than racing against the calendar.
What emerged were wines with real backbone and surprising freshness for such a warm vintage. The Cabernet Sauvignon shows dark fruit intensity but keeps its structure, while Chenin Blanc delivered both the mineral precision and honeyed weight that makes Stellenbosch examples so compelling. These wines are drinking beautifully now, showing their fruit while the tannins have softened just enough to let the character shine through. We expect the reds to hold well until 2030, though frankly, they're too good to leave alone that long.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Rich and generous, with dark plum, ripe black cherry, and a spiced chocolate warmth from French oak. The tannins are soft and well-integrated, making it an easy, satisfying drink without any rough edges.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking well right now and will continue to do so until around 2030. This isn't a wine to cellar for decades — it's built for pleasure in the near term, so there's no need to wait.
What food does it pair well with?
Grilled or braised lamb is an excellent match, as are slow-cooked beef dishes, mushroom-rich pasta, or a good aged cheddar. It's versatile enough for a relaxed dinner without needing a special occasion menu.
How should I serve it?
Serve at around 16-17°C. A brief 20-30 minute decant will open it up, though it's approachable straight from the bottle too. A standard Bordeaux glass is all you need.
Who makes this wine?
Glenelly is a Stellenbosch estate founded by May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, the former owner of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Bordeaux. The Glass Collection is her approachable, everyday range, made with the same Bordeaux-trained attention to detail as the estate's flagship wines.
Is this wine worth buying as a gift?
Yes — it's a well-made, recognisable grape variety from a producer with real credentials, priced accessibly. It works well for someone who enjoys generous, fruit-forward reds and appreciates a wine with a proper story behind it.
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