Lismore new releases

Lismore’s Samantha O’Keefe with editor Christian Eedes.

Lismore in the foothills of the Riviersonderend Mountains outside Greyton is a singular location for a wine farm and owner/winemaker Samantha O’Keefe is making some singular wines. Tasting notes and ratings for the current releases as follows:

Lismore Age of Grace Viognier 2018
Price: R200
From Elgin grapes. A heady nose with a floral top note before yellow peach and spice. Super-concentrated fruit offset by zippy acidity, the finish nicely dry. A real crowd-pleaser.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Lismore Viognier Reserve 2018
Price: R540
From Greyton grapes. Aromatics of white peach plus subtle notes of flowers and spice. The palate shows great focus – pure fruit, fresh acidity and a pithy finish. That much more complete than its counterpart above.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Lismore Chardonnay 2017
Price: R265
From Greyton grapes. Citrus, plenty of waxy complexity and spice on the nose. Rich and round on the palate with nicely coated acidity and a savoury finish. Powerful but balanced.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Lismore Chardonnay Reserve 2018
Price: R540
From Greyton grapes. Lime and lemon and a touch of reduction on the nose. Excellent fruit concentration, zippy acidity and a pithy finish. This is a statuesque wine – plenty of depth and breadth but equally rather graceful.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Lismore Syrah 2017
Price: R360
A combination of Elign and Greyton grapes. 40% wholebunch fermentation.  Red and black fruit, pepper and some reduction on the nose. Full and relatively luscious in the mouth with fine tannins. Alcohol: 14%.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Lismore Syrah Reserve 2018
Price: R680
From Gretyon grapes. 50% wholebunch fermentation. A hint of reduction before red fruit and white pepper on the nose. The palate is light-bodied with delicate fruit, lemon-like acidity and fine tannins. More pared down than the riveting 2017 but still a very fine offering.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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