Lourens Family Wines new releases

Franco Lourens of Lourens Family Wines.

Franco Lourens recently became assistant winemaker at the acclaimed Alheit Vineyards and his own label 2016s are damn fine, tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Lindi Carien 2016
Price: R195
34% Grenache Blanc from Piekenierskloof, 31% Verdelho from Stellenbosch, 21% Roussanne from Stellenboch and 15% Chenin Blanc sourced from both Stellenbosch and Swartland. On the nose , white peach, potpourri and dried herbs. The palate is light bodied and tightly wound with pure fruit, fresh acidity and a very dry finish. Has a lovely restraint about it.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

Howard John 2016
Price: R195
43% Cinsault from Darling and Stellenbosch, 43% Carignan from Wellington and 14% Grenache from Bot River. The nose displays red and black berries, fresh herbs, earth and spice. As with its counterpart, the wine has a striking clarity about it – well defined fruit, fresh acidity and firm but not astringent tannins.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

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