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Lourens Family Wines

2022

‘Howard John’

Red Blend   |   Swartland - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

Franco’s father (Howard John) gave the seed money gift and the unwavering support that would ultimately become Lourens Family Wines. From the outset, Franco knew his first wine already had a name and label.  He made the 2022 in Lukas van Loggerenberg’s cellar, which he has done since 2020. The new space afforded Franco the ability to really take his time with ferments and bring fruit in at different times.  The vineyards are all dry-farmed bushvine sites in the Swartland. The Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah are from the Eikelaan, Fairview, and Lammershoek farms, respectively. As ever, this wine is the poster child of drinkability.

The grapes were all hand-picked and sorted before spontaneous fermentation took place in open top fermenters. The Grenache was fermented with 25% stems, the Cinsault was 100% de-stemmed, and the Syrah was 100% with stems. Gentle hand plunging during the first week and foot stomping the second week was the extent of the extraction methods and after a total of 10-14 days on skins the lots were pressed to old French tonneau for aging. Following ten months of maturation the barrels were racked to tank and the wine settled naturally.  It was bottled without fining and just a coarse filtration and a small sulfur addition.

Stats

  • Grapes: 44% Grenache Noir - 28% Cinsault - 28% Syrah
  • Vineyard: Swartland: Eikelaan (Grenache Noir) - Fairview (Cinsault) - Lammershoek (Syrah)
  • Vine Age: Grenache (7-years-old) - Syrah (22-years-old) - Cinsault (28-years-old)
  • Soil Type: Eroded granite (Grenache & Syrah) – iron-rich shale (Cinsault)
  • Viticulture: Practicing organic – dry-farmed
  • Fermentation: Native – stainless steel (Grenache & Syrah with stems – Cinsault de-stemmed)
  • Skin Contact: 10-14 days
  • Aging: 10 months in neutral 300L and 500L barrels
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • pH: 3.7
  • Total Acidity: 5.5 g/L
  • Total SO2: 36 ppm
  • Total Production: 566 cases
  • UPC: 6009879885958

Tasting Note

A translucent crimson with ruby highlights. The nose is layered with vibrant aromas of raspberries, red cherries, fresh anise, and a floral backdrop of proteas and roses. This wine brims with freshness. The palate is generous yet light on its feet, driven by bright acidity, crunchy tannins, and a stony, rain-kissed minerality. A hint of briny olive emerges toward the long, firmly structured finish.

Press & Reviews

Platter's Guide

93

"Fynbos & earth, kiss of stemmy tannin on southern Rhône-style 2022 blend. Grenache noir (44%) with equal cinsault & syrah, all ex Swartland. Subtle red cherry & plum fruit,
similar refreshing grape tannin lift as last. Adds 'Red Blend' to name."

- Cathy van Zyl

Vinous

91

"The 2022 Red Blend Howard John is a Grenache-based Rhône blend that includes 40% stems. It has a perfumed, more floral bouquet with pressed rose petals infusing the redcurrant and raspberry fruit. The medium-bodied palate has pliant tannins, not powerful, but certainly a more elegant, natural style of Cape Rhône with a harmonious finish that easily slips down the throat."

- Neal Martin

The WineMag

94

"44% Grenache, 28% Cinsault and 28% Syrah, all sourced from the Swartland, some 40% fermented with stems, before maturation lasting 10 months in old 300- and 500-litre barrels. Expressive aromatics of red and black berries, orange, olive, lavender and herbs while the palate has good fruit concentration, snappy acidity and crunchy tannins. Juicy on entry but ends savoury, the different components combining to good effect."

- Christian Eedes
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Producer


Lourens Family Wines

Region


Swartland

Country


South Africa

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