Chardonnay

Crab and Asparagus Salad. Smoked Salmon Mousse in a Phyllo Cup.

The vineyards are planted in decomposed shale over clay at 300 metres 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.

The oaking represents a viewpoint that the fruit/acid/pH must drive a wine's flavour and not the over-emphasis on highly extracted buttery notes derived from new barrels and 100% Malolactic conversion. That being said the barrel aging gives this wine its luxurious texture. Having only undergone partial MLF (20%), the wine retains its original fruitiness and fresh acidity. These elements combined allow for years of storage and maturation.

The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and whole bunch pressed, slowly extracting the juice at a rate of 600ltrs per ton. The juice was cold settled for 48 hours and was racked into 225, 300 and 500 litre older burgundian barrels for fermentation and 11 months of maturation. 5% new French oak was used in this vintage.

Tucked into the foothills of a dramatic mountain range at the bottom of Africa is Lismore Estate Vineyards. Californian Samantha O'Keefe has found paradise and the perfect terroir. Her passion combined with vines planted at 300 meters chilled by the winter snow and nourished by the African summer sun produce classic cool climate wines which are rich complex and lovingly hand crafted.