Glenelly Estate Lady May 2017 – Stellenbosch’s First Lady of Cabernet

👑 Where French Nobility Meets South African Swagger

This isn’t just a wine. It’s a statement.
Glenelly Estate’s Lady May 2017 is the crown jewel of a Bordeaux-born matriarch turned South African icon: May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, former owner of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. When she came to Stellenbosch, she didn’t come to make noise—she came to make history.

And Lady May? She delivers. Every. Single. Time.

This 2017 vintage is a Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend that doesn’t chase trends—it builds a dynasty. Powerful yet poised, it’s a wine that wears its structure like a silk glove over a clenched fist.

💬 Critic Reviews

• 95 Points – Tim Atkin MW
  “A graceful, age-worthy red with polished tannins and remarkable clarity. One of the finest expressions of the Bordeaux blend in the Cape.”

• 94 Points – Platter’s Wine Guide
  “Elegance meets intensity. Cedar, graphite, cassis, and a whisper of violets. Long, layered, and worthy of cellaring.”

• 93 Points – WineMag SA
  “Power, polish, and pedigree. A standout vintage showing restraint and longevity.”

🍷 Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby with garnet edges. Regal and luminous.

• Nose: Lifted aromas of blackcurrant, crushed violets, pencil shavings, and cigar box.

• Palate: Silky tannins carry cassis, dark plum, and hints of mint, cedar, and graphite. Balanced and precise.

• Finish: Long, dry, elegant. The kind of finish that makes you sit in silence just a little longer.

🧑🌾 Behind the Wine

Lady May is May-Eliane’s personal tribute to her legacy and vision. It’s crafted only in the best vintages, from the highest blocks on the Glenelly estate in Stellenbosch’s Simonsberg foothills. It’s matured for 24 months in 80% new French oak, then bottle-aged to perfection.

Precision viticulture. Small-batch winemaking. French soul, African sun.

🍽️ Pairing Royalty

• Herb-crusted lamb with minted peas

• Duck confit with black cherry glaze

• Filet mignon with truffle butter

• Aged Comté, Manchego, or Gruyère

📦 Wine Specs

• Grape Blend: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot

• Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa

• Vintage: 2017

• ABV: 14%

• Oak Aging: 24 months in 80% new French oak

• Aging Potential: Drink now or cellar through 2040

• Farming: Sustainable

• Serve At: 16–18°C

• Bottle Size: 750ml