Lismore2020 Chardonnay, Lismore
Overberg, South AfricaVintage: 2020
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. A native Californian, Berkeley educated, Sam realised her dream and bought a mountain in Africa.
In December 2019 Samantha’s farm, home, cellar and just-opened wine cellar was all lost in a bush-fire. Samantha has proven herself to be one of the winemaking stars of South Africa and gaining respect from all around the world. The day this tragedy took place Samantha was receiving calls from winemakers all around the Cape, giving her some of their top grapes and asking her to make the wine in their cellars in order for her to continue making wine and not miss a harvest. A remarkable woman making remarkable wines.
The 2020 Lismore Chardonnay is delicious in the glass. The nose is a complex, expressive bouquet of citrus and tropical fruits layered with brioche, honey and walnut. The palate is carried through by a distinct minerality and crisp acidity through to a lingering citrus finish.
Notable Awards
90 points, Neal Martin, vinous.com. “The 2020 Chardonnay offers plenty of mango, pineapple and citrus fruit on the nose, all beautifully defined with a subtle minerally undertow. The well-balanced palate delivers orange pith and tangerine flavours, fine depth and a fresh pear and nectarine finish.”
Whats in the bottle
100% Chardonnay
12 Mixed Bottles *
£28.80
Save £3.20
* As part of a mixed case of any 12 bottles
Free UK delivery on orders over £250. Free South Wales delivery on orders over £100
Tel : 02922 337454
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Description
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 Lismore Estate has a total of 12.5 ha planted with Chardonnay, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. Lismore’s vineyards are planted on slopes at the base of the Riviersonderend Mountain Range. The combination of elevation and climate make for an extended ripening period which is roughly 3-4 weeks later than the more traditional wine-growing areas in the Western Cape.
https://www.lismore.co.za/
The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and whole bunch pressed, slowly extracting the juice at a rate of 600 litres per tonne. The Chardonnay was naturally fermented and aged in 300 litre French oak barrels, with 20% new oak. Although the oak gives this wine its luxurious texture, the philosophy was to ensure the fruit, acidity and pH drove the wine’s flavour, rather than obtaining overt, extracted buttery notes from the oak.
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