After selling the family’s famous Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac, Bordeaux, at age 78, when most people would want to retire, May-Eliane de Lencquesaing headed off to start a new project, Glenelly Estate winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa. While Bordeaux varietals are the mainstay of her stable, the haralded Rhône varietal, Syrah, has proven itself to be a real winner. Her introductory line of wine is called Glass Collection, named after the extensive glass collection May has accumulated over her life time, and forms the core of the museum located in the lower level of the winery building. Deep red in colour, we are met with aromas of white pepper, black olive, cinnamon, jasmine, bacon and spicy plum. On the palate we encounter great concentration and generous fruit followed by a velvety structure that lingers on. Braai is what comes to mind, as this is what is referred to as a barbeque with assorted meats in South Africa. So let’s fire up and enjoy with whatever you wish to throw on the grill with this Syrah.       

2018 Glenelly Glass Collection Syrah #493841, $15.95.