Léze Herholdt new releases
By Christian Eedes, 3 July 2025
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Léze Herholdt is the original go-getter. After earning a degree in Viticulture and Oenology in 2017, she went on to complete an MSc in Wine and Spirits Management at Kedge Business School’s Bordeaux campus in 2021. Her résumé already includes broad local and international experience including an internship at Chatea Angelus. Currently, she splits her time between working as the wine specialist at Stellenbosch fine-dining restaurant Mertia and overseeing Stompie Meyer’s Piket-Bo-Berg cellar during harvest. A stint at Steenberg sparked her fascination with Semillon, culminating in the release of her first wine under her own label in 2021. Her parents own a Philadelphia property where the practice mixed farming including wine grapes and the intention is to set herself up there in due course. Tasting notes and ratings for her new releases as follows:
Mirum Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge Semillon 2022
Price: R330
Matured for 12 months in old oak. Compelling aromatics of citrus, peach, nectarine, yellow apple, hay, and a touch of white pepper. The palate is rich and succulent, with a great line of zesty acidity and a savoury, slightly wild finish. Not perfectly polished, but bursting with flavour and personality. Alc: 13.5%.
CE’s rating: 93/100.
Mirum Franschhoek Semillon 2023
Price: R330
Grapes from a vineyard planted in 1989. Matured for 12 months in old oak. Compelling Citrus, peach, earth and some waxiness on the nose. The palate is dense and textured with well-integrated acidity and a savoury finish. Layers of flavour and well balanced, a quietly assured wine.
CE’s rating: 93/100.
Paleisheuwel Grenache Noir 2023
Price: R340
Grapes from Piekenierskloof vineyard planted in 1973. 30% whole-bunch fermentation, matured for 12 months in old oak. Strikingly aromatic, with notes of rose, Turkish Delight, cranberry, and fynbos. The palate offers weightless intensity – clean fruit, vibrant acidity, and lightly powdery tannins – with a nicely dry finish. Pale in colour, only 12.5% alcohol, it nevertheless delivers well beyond expectation.
CE’s rating: 93/100.
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Chris Alheit | 8 July 2025
Good stuff Leze!