Lismore new releases

American-born Samantha O’Keefe arrived in South Africa in 2000 and in 2003 established her own label called Lismore, establishing a farm in an area that would later officially be known as Wine of Origin Greyton.

O’Keefe’s home, vineyards and winery were destroyed by fire in December 2019. She has subsequently replanted and rebuilt and Lismore continues, some of her wines using grapes acquired from elsewhere in the winelands. Tasting notes and ratings for the new releases as follows:

Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Price: R250
Grapes from Elgin, Stanford and Gretyon. Matured for 11 months in barrels, foudre and concrete egg. Lime, soft citrus, nectarine and a leesy note on the nose while the palate shows great fruit concentration and punchy acidity before a savoury finish. Creamy in texture but also has a pleasant sour quality. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R320
From Stanford grapes. Approximately 15% undergoing skin contact for seven days. Effusive aromatics of quince, peach, soft citrus, honeysuckle, fynbos and spice. The palate is superbly focused – pure fruit, zippy acidity and lightly grippy tannins, the finish long and dry. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

The Age of Grace Viognier 2023
Price: R250
Grapes from Bot River, Elgin and Villiersdorp, production of this wine is an impressive 25,000 bottles. Peach, orange, a hint of floral perfume, fynbos, a brush of vanilla, and some flinty reduction on the nose. The palate, meanwhile, is pure and vibrant with a dry finish – it has a tension about it and that’s not something you say about wines from this variety. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Chardonnay 2023
Price: R320
Elandskloof, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Greyton. Matured in older oak 300-litre barrels, 30% MLF. Peach and citrus plus hints of oatmeal and toasted nuts on the nose. The palate possesses a solid core of fruit and bright acidity before a gently savoury finish. Well balanced with a pleasantly smooth texture. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Estate Reserve Cuvée Blanc 2023
Price: R650
From own grapes. 85% Roussanne, the rest Viognier and Chardonnay. Orchard blossom, melon, mango, pineapple, clove and a slight waxy note. The palate is opulent with luscious fruit and well-integrated acidity. There’s initially an impression of sweetness but the finish is gently savoury. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2023
Price: R650

From own grapes. Matured in larger format barrels, 20% new. 80% MLF. Lemon, orange, vanilla and spice plus some struck-match reduction on the nose. The palate is rich, round and smooth textured – a big, concentrated vintage although not without drive, the finish gently savoury. Alcohol: 13%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Estate Reserve Viognier 2023
Price: R650
Enticing aromatics of lime, lemon, peach, flowers and spice. The palate is big but simultaneously intricate. Great fruit definition and snappy acidity before a dry finish. Layers of flavour and well weighted. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 96/100.

Syrah 2022
Price: R420
Grapes predominantly from Elgin but also a portion from Stanford. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. Red berries, rose, fynbos and pepper on the nose while the palate is light and lean yet intensely flavoured. Pure fruit, bright acidity and crunchy tannins, the finish super-dry. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Estate Reserve Syrah 2022
Price: R890
From own fruit. 50% whole-bunch fermentation. Some rather pronounced reduction before red and black berries, orange, and white pepper. The palate is pure with soft but sufficient acidity, and fine tannins. Certainly not unaccomplished but appears a little underdone relative to previous vintages. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Earlier in the year, O’Keefe’s CWG wines were rated as follows:

Lismore The Sheltering Sky Syrah 2022 – 96 (see here)
Lismore Valkyrie Chardonnay 2023 – 94 (see here)

Check out our South African wine ratings database.