Lismore Age of Grace 2018
Girl walks into wine store and asks for a red. Girl walks out of wine store with a bottle of white. That’s how much I wanted to try this Samantha O’Keefe Viognier.
Samantha is a Californian, who ‘went searching for paradise and extraordinary terroir. At the bottom of Africa, she found it.’ There’s no better intro than this one found at the top of her labels.
Samantha is a Californian, who ‘went searching for paradise and extraordinary terroir. At the bottom of Africa, she found it.’ There’s no better intro than this one found at the top of her labels.
Grown in cool climate, high altitude Elgin on rose-quartz soil; you’re instantly enveloped in the heady floral perfumes (honeysuckle, jasmine blossoms) before ripe peaches and spices round out the nose. A rich and textured palate of ripe white peaches, apricots, pineapple, fresh acidity and a wonderful creamy finish. It’s just so pretty! Whole bunch pressed, barrel fermented in partly old barrique and new 500l casks, and then left on the lees for 6 months with regular lees stirring for the first 2 months.
No one knows how Samantha found the former dairy farm in the middle of nowhere…otherwise know as Greyton. With no winemaking background, she planted the vines and started making wines. Things weren’t always a bunch of roses – even having to sell off part of her farm to survive – but she persisted and earned her international success. 70% of her wines are exports but I’m really glad that we get to enjoy the 30% of these premium wines that get to stay home.
