Lismore Reserve Chardonnay 2016

Badass.

The Reserve Chardonnay 2016 from Greyton property Lismore is sensational. A barrel selection, winemaking involved spontaneous fermentation and maturation lasting 11 months in 500-litre barrels, 40% new.

The nose shows top notes of citrus blossom and dried herbs before lemon and green apple, the merest hint of vanilla and the tiniest touch of leesy complexity. The palate possesses quite extraordinary fruit concentration to go with driving acidity. Rich but still vivacious, textured but not greasy, this is a wine which manages to combine purity and power to excellent effect. Price: R360 a bottle.

Editor’s rating: 96/100.

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