Syrah, Estate Reserve
    Lismore Estate

    Syrah, Estate Reserve,

    Destination

    vintage

    Lismore Estate, Syrah, Estate Reserve, 2021

    Justerini & Brooks Tasting note
    Lismore Estate, Syrah, Estate Reserve, 2021

    Having lost the 2019 barrels to the fire and the 2020 due to the smoke taint, it is very exciting to be able to offer the new 2021 release. Fermented with 50% whole bunches, and kept on skins for 1 month in a large wooden fermented, the 2021 exudes notes of ripe strawberry and graphite, in a juicy, peppery crisp style that feels totally unforced. Samantha uses a number of different clones which builds complexity, added to the inherent quality of the deep, decomposed shale soils. It was matured for ten months in 500L French oak, 35% new.

    ABV:
    12.5%
    94/100
    Neal Martin, Vinous
    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.
    Date Reviewed:
    11/2023
    Drinking Window:
    2025 - 2045

    specifications

    country:
    South Africa
    Appellation:
    style:
    Grape Variety:
    Allergen Information:
    This product may contain sulphites. Full allergen information is available upon request, please call our Customer Relations Team on +44 (0)20 7484 6430.
    Lismore Estate

    Lismore Estate

    California-born Samantha O’Keefe is the pioneer of the cool climate Greyton region. Situated in a dramatic shale-rich mountainous amphitheatre at almost 300m of elevation, the area benefits from Atlantic breezes and cool nights, which makes for particularly striking Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier based wines. Blessed with a kiss of South African sunshine and Samantha’s precise, gentle winemaking techniques, the Lismore wines are some of the most distinctive and exciting in South Africa. Tragically, a terrible fire at the end of 2019 saw more than a decade’s work go up in smoke, just as Samantha’s wines were riding high on a wave of universal critical acclaim. Through a combination of dogged perseverance, pride and belief, like a phoenix, Lismore Wines has risen again. This is a project that speaks to restraint, tone and elegance, with an ineffable strength of personality and drinkability.

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