Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Californian Samantha O’Keefe has found paradise and the perfect terroir. Tucked into the foothills of a dramatic mountain range at the bottom of Africa, Lismore Estate Vineyards was born alongside her nascent family. A passionate vision, combined with vines planted at 300 metres, which are chilled by winter snow and nourished by the African summer sun, produces classic, cool climate wines which are rich, complex and lovingly hand-crafted.

THE VINTAGE:
A cool, wet spring delayed budding by seven to 10 days, but it was consistently good and even, while flowering occurred generally around five days later than usual. Fruit set occurred at a good tempo and was mostly even, with vine growth continuing steadily as the temperature increased in December. The 2022 wines show striking aromatic expression, due to a generally cooler season that allowed gradual ripening and balancing acidity.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
Having pioneered a new extreme cool climate region in South Africa, Samantha chose to release an Estate Reserve range to illustrate what the vineyards are capable of. The wines are produced from very low yielding vines. The vineyard is planted at 300 metres above sea level, in the foothills of the Sonderend Mountain Range. The vines are grown in decomposed shale over clay soils and are dry farmed, which contributes to the deep concentration in the wine. Low mean temperatures during February contribute to an extended ripening period, resulting in a harvest period which can be three to four weeks later than traditional wine growing regions in South Africa. The intense citrus notes and the lingering finish are consistent trademarks of Lismore’s specific terroir. The distinctive minerality of this Chardonnay is a clear indication of the cool climate in which it is grown.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
The grapes were whole bunch pressed, slowly extracting the juice at a rate of 600 litres per tonne. The juice was cold settled for 48 hours and then racked into 500-litre Burgundian barrels of which 35% were new, for spontaneous and natural fermentation and 11 months maturation. Balance was the key to this wine.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
A stunning example of a restrained, cool-climate Chardonnay, with intense citrus, jasmine and walnut layered with honey and vanilla notes. Concentrated and refined, with a beautifully balanced and refreshing palate, distinct minerality and a crisp, clean citrus finish.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Chardonnay 100%.

AWARDS:
• 94+ Points, Wine Advocate, 2024
• 94 Points Tim Atkin MW, 2024
• 96 Points, Neal Martin, 2024