Lourens Family Wines Skuinskap Steen 2018

Franco Lourens of Lourens Family Wines.

Tim James recently highlighted the phenomenon of multiple winemakers using the same cellar (see here), and Hemelrand outside Hermanus is a case in point, home as it is to both Alheit Vineyards and Lourens Family Wines. The former label is better established and highly acclaimed but don’t ignore the latter. Tasting notes for the new releases  as follows:

Lindi Carien 2018
Price: R245
A blend of 46% Chenin Blanc from Swartland, 31% Verdelho, 15% Grenache Blanc and 8% Roussanne, all from Stellenbosch. Quite dark in colour. The nose shows peach, naartjie and orange, dried herbs and thatch plus a little bread-like oxidative character. The palate has lovely depth without being too weighty with some pleasant grip to the finish. Flavourful and poised, this comes across as a particularly considered effort.

Editor’s rating: 95/100.

Howard John 2018
Price: R245
A blend of 43% Grenache and 14% Syrah, both from Swartland, 32% Cinsault from Darling and 11% Carignan from Wellington. A captivating nose showing red and blackberries, musk, herbs, lavender plus darker notes of olive and turned earth. The palate has a lovely clarity about it with pure fruit, electrifying acidity and powdery tannins before a super-savoury finish. Light-bodied (alcohol is 12%) yet no shortage of detail.

Editor’s rating: 95/100.

Skuinskap Steen 2018
Price: R395
From a 1977 Piekenierskloof vineyard on sandstone soils. A pretty nose with notes of blossom and herbs, lime and green apple. The palate is poised, delicate and refined – light and fresh (alcohol is 13.34%) with a super-dry finish. A wine that speaks of its origins with eloquence.

Editor’s rating: 96/100.

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