Lismore Estate is based in Greyton within the Overberg region of the Western Cape of South Africa. It’s here with the Sonderend mountains as a backdrop that winemaker & proprietor Samantha O’Keefe makes her fabulous wines. ‘ I had a farm in Africa….’ The opening line of Karen Blixen’s classic memoir Out Of Africa comes to mind when you hear Samantha’s amazing story.
We love barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc at Wine Republic and this beauty is made in an “oxidative” style using old 500-litre barrels for 70% of the fermentation and maturation bringing forward richness, intense fruit and complexity. 30% of the wine is fermented and aged in 1500-litre concrete egg tanks to enhance the rich palate texture and minerality. In both the barrels and the eggs, extended less contact adds complexity and a richer, creamy texture which works beautifully with the bright citrus and fresh herb notes and salty minerality from the grape.