Lourens Family Wines new releases

Operating out of the same Paarl cellar as Lukas van Loggerenberg, the wines of Franco Lourens grow ever more assured and sophisticated, tasting notes and ratings for the soon-to-be released 2022s as follows:

Lindi Carien White Blend 2022
Price: R295
52% Chenin Blanc, 27% Verdelho, 13% Colombar, 5% Grenache Blanc (five days skin contact) and 3% Palomino sourced variously from Piekenierskloof, Stellenbosch and Voor-Paardeberg. Matured for 10 months in old 300- and 500-litre barrels. Some floral perfume before stone fruit, orange, spice and a little waxy character on the nose while the palate has good fruit weight, moderate acidity and a gently savoury finish. A wine with a subtle oxidative quality, nicely tangy with a little bit of phenolic grip. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating 94/100.

Skuinskap Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2022
Price: R465
From a Piekenierskloof vineyard planted in 1977. Matured for 10 months in old 500-litre barrels. Pear, nectarine, flowers, hay and earth on the nose while the plate has excellent fruit density and punchy acidity before a persistent and deeply savoury finish. Poised and super-complex, a singular wine. Alc: 13.2%.

CE’s rating: 97/100.

Howard John Red Blend 2022
Price: R295
44% Grenache, 28% Cinsault and 28% Syrah, all sourced from the Swartland, some 40% fermented with stems, before maturation lasting 10 months in old 300- and 500-litre barrels. Expressive aromatics of red and black berries, orange, olive, lavender and herbs while the palate has good fruit concentration, snappy acidity and crunchy tannins. Juicy on entry but ends savoury, the different components combining to good effect.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Lua Ilse Grenache Noir 2022
Price: R370
Grapes from a Piekenierskloof vineyard approximately 25 years old. 25% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 10 months in older 500-litre barrels. Cranberry, raspberry, pomegranate, fynbos, earth and white pepper on the nose while the palate is full but balanced – pleasingly ripe fruit, bright acidity and densely packed tannins. Concentrated with a dry finish. Alc: 14%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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