Lismore Syrah 2015

Lismore Estate Syrah is made from 100 percent Syrah.

A careful selection of the best of the vintage that exemplifies the extraordinary terroir of Lismore.

An exotic experience which shifts your mind to another place. Cassis, brambles and succulent cherry. White pepper, classic garrigue and the strong floral perfume of crushed violets. Light and elegant, but structured with a fresh acidity. To experience the best this wine has to offer, decanting is suggested.

The grapes were fermented 40% whole bunch in a 5000 litre wooden fermenter with gentle pigeage throughout. The process allowed for a long extraction period which lends to the fruit expression of this wine. The wine was left for a 30 day extended maceration on the skins and then pressed in a traditional baskets press. Matured in 500 litre barrels for 10 months (35% new). Time in the bottle will allow integration, the deepening of layers and full expression of the fruit.

 

 

Review:

"Bursting with purple flowers and savory, spicy notes, the 2021 Estate Reserve Syrah was made with 50% whole-cluster fruit, offering a crunchy, red-fruited nose that pops with delightful tertiary expressions of turned earth and pencil lead. Light to medium-bodied and with 12% alcohol, the wine compresses slightly to show an earthy, graphite edge on the palate while slightly stemmy notes sway with fine-grained tannins across the mid-palate. Flavors of potpourri with spiced cherry skin somersault with red and purple flower essences before finishing with hints of pink peppercorn over the elegant and elongated finish. Just under 5,000 bottles were produced after the wine spent 11 months in 25% new oak barrels.. - Anthony Mueller" - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (December 2çth 2023), 96 pts "The 2021 Syrah Estate Reserve, which comes from the vineyard most damaged by the fire in 2020, is 50% whole bunches and aged of 500- and 700-liter barrels, 25% new. The potent nose has raspberry coulis, blueberry and touches of cough candy, taking its time to settle in the glass and lose its initial exuberance. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled, slightly chalky tannins. It’s fresh and vibrant, sapid towards the finish, with a long, Côte-Rôtie-like aftertaste and garrigue notes filtering through with time. This should be afforded a couple of years in bottle and will continue to evolve over the next 15-20 years. Just 12% alcohol, too. - Neal Martin" - Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2023), 94 pts "Black tea, cracked pepper, bramble berries and olives on the nose, followed by a medium-bodied, savory and peppery palate. Sleek tannins. Salty olive notes linger. Drink now or hold. - Claire NESBITT." - James SUCKLING (August 6th 2024), 92 pts

Lismore Estate Syrah is made from 100 percent Syrah.

A careful selection of the best of the vintage that exemplifies the extraordinary terroir of Lismore.

An exotic experience which shifts your mind to another place. Cassis, brambles and succulent cherry. White pepper, classic garrigue and the strong floral perfume of crushed violets. Light and elegant, but structured with a fresh acidity. To experience the best this wine has to offer, decanting is suggested.

The grapes were fermented 40% whole bunch in a 5000 litre wooden fermenter with gentle pigeage throughout. The process allowed for a long extraction period which lends to the fruit expression of this wine. The wine was left for a 30 day extended maceration on the skins and then pressed in a traditional baskets press. Matured in 500 litre barrels for 10 months (35% new). Time in the bottle will allow integration, the deepening of layers and full expression of the fruit.

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Review:

Bursting with purple flowers and savory, spicy notes, the 2022 Estate Reserve Syrah was made with 50% whole-cluster fruit, offering a crunchy, red-fruited nose that pops with delightful tertiary expressions of turned earth and pencil lead. Light to medium-bodied and with 12% alcohol, the wine compresses slightly to show an earthy, graphite edge on the palate while slightly stemmy notes sway with fine-grained tannins across the mid-palate. Flavors of potpourri with spiced cherry skin somersault with red and purple flower essences before finishing with hints of pink peppercorn over the elegant and elongated finish. Just under 5,000 bottles were produced after the wine spent 11 months in 25% new oak barrels.

-Wine Advocate 96 Points

"The 2022 Syrah Estate Reserve was dry-farmed on steep shale slopes with long hang-time on the vine. This vintage includes 50% whole bunch and aged in 500- and 700-liter barrels. It has an intense nose with black cherry, raspberry, Provençal herbs and wild thyme. The harmonious palate has a slightly powdery texture and wonderful backbone, reminiscent of a Côte-Rôtie, with white pepper and subtle fennel notes toward the nish. It feels quite linear at the moment, perhaps holding something back for later? Fabulous. - Neal Martin" - Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2024), 95 pts "Dominated by grapes from Elgin, with a smaller Stanford component, this is the sort of Syrah that you want to drink by the bottle. Fifty per cent whole bunches add some perfume and texture to a palate of subtle vanilla spice from 15% new oak and layers of white pepper, bramble, liquorice and red cherry. 2025-30" - Tim Atkin (SA Special Report 2024), 93 pts "In a tricky stage when I tasted it twice in the Cape, this needs more time in bottle to show at its best. Aromas of earth, beetroot, fynbos and blood usher you into a palate that's dense, compact and firm, with muscular tannins, redcurrant and damson fruit, plenty of acidity and minerality and well-integrated oak. 2025-30" - Tim Atkin (South Africa 2024 Special Report), 94 pts "The 2022 Syrah comes from a selection of vineyards, mostly from Elgin but with some fruit from Stanford. It includes 50% whole cluster and was aged in large oak barrels. This has an open, complex bouquet with red cherries, bergamot and light ferrous scents, gaining mineralité in the glass. Hints of violet emerge with time. Fresh and saline, the palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, revealing a dash of white pepper and clove toward the precise finish. Superb. - Neal Martin" - Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2024), 94 pts

 

Cassis, blackberry and cherry. White pepper, ground herbs and the strong floral perfume of crushed violets. Light and elegant, but structured with fresh acidity.

40% Whole bunch ferment in small open vats. 60% destemmed and fermented in a 5000 ltr wooden fermenter with gentle pigeage (punch down of the cap) throughout. Pressed in a traditonal wooden basket press and racked into a 3000 litre oak vat for 9 months.

 

 Revview:

"The 2020 Syrah starts with a firm, fresh, rustic frame with subtly spiced mineral essence. Notes of dusty purple flowers, savory wild herbs and plum blossom are expressed before seductive cherry aromas sway from the glass. Medium-bodied, the Syrah is fresh, focused and delightfully expressive, showing a succulent and youthful frame with balanced tannins and energetic acidity. The wine will continue to deliver pleasure for years to come. - Anthony Mueller"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (December 29th 2023), 94 pts

"The 2020 Syrah comes from donated fruit from Stellenbosch, Constantia and Swartland, plus bought in fruit from Elgin and Walker Bay. This includes 50% whole bunch with 11 months ageing in barrel. It has a headier bouquet than the CWG Syrah tasted alongside, scents of boysenberry and bilberry fruit, perhaps more floral in style and very well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with a eucalyptus note on the entry, plenty of grip and weight, just a soupçon of opulence with a pastille-like finish. Very fine. - Neal Martin" - Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2024), 92 pts

This is a Greyton WO.

Balance is the key to this wine. Viognier is an aromatic and generous varietal, it benefits from barrel maturation and lees contact with a fuller mouth feel and increased texture. This combined with the firm acid backbone and intense fruit will allow this wine to integrate beautifully and gain further complexity over the next 3-5 years.

Rich, lush and decadent. Viognier is a gorgeous variety. Honeysuckle, peaches and dried apricot with a lingering citrus finish. A clean fresh acidity supports the extravagance of the nose and the palate.

Viognier, a traditional Rhone variety is perfectly suited to Lismore’s cool-climate terrior. The vineyard block is on decomposed shale and one of the healthiest and well balanced on the farm. The entire team looks forward to the Viognier harvest and the beautiful amber tinged berries.

The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and whole bunch pressed, slowly extracting the juice at a rate of 500ltrs per ton. The juice was settled for 48 hours and was racked into burgundian barriques (1st fill) for fermentation and maturation. The wine was left on the lees with regular “batonnage” for 11 months.

Lighter styles are often paired with curries and the like. This Viognier is different. We recommend medium bodied meals that are intense and complex. For example:
- Sesame encrusted tuna marinated in a blend of orange, lemon and lime juice spiced with sesame oil and balsamic vinegar – seared on a wood fired grill and served with griddled vegetables, or
- Free range duck breast smoked with Darjeeling tea and coriander leaves. Set on a cinnamon poached pear glazed with a gooseberry jus.

In both of these dishes, the fruit and floral aspects of the wine are complimented by the exotic and aromatic elements in the dish which are also highlighted by the spiciness from the oak fermentation; the fresh acidity freshens the palate, and yet the Lismore Viognier has the body to hold up against the weight of the duck or the tuna. It is also gorgeous with a well laid cheese platter.

Review:

"The 2021 Viognier The Age of Grace comes from Sutherland and Bot River, whole bunch pressed with 11 months on the lees using 15% concrete eggs. With pretty white peach and Mirabelle scents on the nose, this takes time to blossom, but it never fully lets go. The palate is medium-bodied with a gorgeous dried apricot, mango and spicebox entry, nothing blowsy here with a very focused, almost understated finish. Excellent. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (September 2022), 93+ pts

"Initially subdued in the glass, the 2021 The Age of Grace Viognier lifts from the glass with some swirling. The softly floral wine offers subtle hints of spice and citrus zest before the medium-bodied Viognier showcases a delightful texture and sweet citrus flavors. The palate displays a delicate mineral tension with a kiss of phenolic bitterness over the food-friendly finish. Decanting is recommended. - Anthony Mueller" - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (December 28th 2023), 91 pts

Lismore Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc is made from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc.

As with all Lismore wines, balance is the key. The bracing acidity that is customary in new world Sauvignons has been brought into balance with a carefully chosen pick date and the barrel and egg fermentation and maturation. A full bodied, balanced wine was the goal.

Barrel fermentation and extended lees contact contribute to this full bodied, elegant and well balanced wine. Floral notes of passion flower and fynbos, granadilla, guava, gooseberry and pear on the palate along with an underlying minerality which gives this unique terroir driven wine its signature.

Wine Made in the Soil

The grapes come from 50% Lismore’s Greyton vineyards which are planted on East/Southeast facing slopes at 320 meters in the foothills of the Sonderend Mountain Range. The soils are deep decomposed shale. The other 50% comes from a vineyard in Stanford which overlooks Walker Bay on sandstone soils.

 

Lismore Chardonnay made from 100 percent Chardonnay.

This very special Chardonnay was made in the style of a traditional Burgundian Chablis. It shows intense citrus and soft fruit layered with brioche, honey and walnut carried by a distinct minerality and crisp acidity with a lingering citrus finish.

Wine Made in the Soil

The vineyards are planted in decomposed shale over clay at 300 meters in the foothills of the Sonderend Mountain Range. A low mean February temperature lends to an extended ripening period that can put harvest 3-4 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 restrained minerality of the Chardonnay is a clear indication of the cool climate in which it is grown.

Wine of Origin "Greyton" has been designated by SAWIS recognizing the special terrior of this region.

Delightful with warm curries which lift the aromatics or a traditional pairing of smoked salmon highlighting the fresh acidity.

Review:

Aromas of sliced pears, white peaches, hints of crushed rosemary and young walnuts. Medium- to full-bodied, bright and focused with vivid acidity and creamy texture. Very polished and sleek. Lingering finish. Drink or hold.

-James Suckling 93 Points