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Lourens Family Wines

2023

‘Lindi Carien’

White Blend   |   Western Cape - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

This was the second wine that Franco ever produced and, in 2016, he took the profit of the sales of the wine to buy an engagement ring for the woman who is now his wife, Lindi Carien. Her adoring face features on the label as a reminder for Franco of the love and dedication they have for one another. The sites and grapes for this wine change each year. The 2023 vintage is a blend of just three whites: 62% Chenin Blanc, 30% Verdelho, and 8% Grenache Blanc. This has always been a Chenin and Verdelho dominated blend, though over the years other grapes like Colombard and Palomino saw some play time. This vintage is almost identical to the 2019 vintage in terms of assemblage. No matter the makeup, Franco continues to assemble one of the Cape’s finest white blends with this wine.

The grapes were handpicked and sorted before all but Grenache Blanc were immediately whole-bunch pressed to old French barrels. The Grenache Blanc fermented whole-cluster on skins for 7 days before being pressed to 500 liter neutral barrels. Each variety fermented on the gross lees separately and after without any additions and after ten months the barrels were blended to tank where it settled naturally. The wine was bottled with just a coarse filtration and a small addition of sulfur. No fining.

Stats

  • Grapes: 62% Chenin blanc - 30% Verdelho - 8% Grenache blanc
  • Vineyard: Swartland (Chenin Blanc) - Stellenbosch (Verdelho) - Piekenierskloof (Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc)
  • Vine Age: 41-62-years-old (Chenin Blanc) - 27-years-old (Verdelho) - 17-years-old (Grenache Blanc)
  • Soil Type: Mostly granite & sandstone
  • Viticulture: Sustainable – dry-farmed
  • Fermentation: Native – whole-bunch pressed into 500L neutral oak barrels
  • Skin Contact: 7 days (Grenache Blanc)
  • Aging: 10 months in 500L neutral oak barrels
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • pH: 3.42
  • Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
  • Total SO2: 69 ppm
  • Total Production: 665 cases
  • UPC: 0700083413888

Tasting Note

Bright and stony with just enough flesh. Ripe peach, citrus peel, and a whisper of smoke unfurl on the nose. It’s creamy on the palate but snaps into focus with clean acid and a salty finish. A little spice and grip keep it grounded.

Press & Reviews

James Suckling

92

"A cool, fresh, white blend that has notes of lemon rind, pear skins, orange blossoms and crushed stones. Textured, mineral and medium-bodied, showing focus. 62% chenin blanc, 30% verdelho and 8% grenache blanc. Drink now or hold."

- Claire Nesbitt

Tim Atkin MW

94

"Using components from Piekenierskloof, Stellenbosch and the Swartland, this is a stylish cuvée of Chenin Blanc, 30% Verdelho and 8% Grenache Blanc that showcases Franco Lourens' skills as a blender. Stony and scented with notes of fynbos and petrichor, a hint of skin tannin quince, citrus and greengage. A delight. 2024-30"

- Tim Atkin MW

The WineMag

95

"62% Chenin Blanc, 30% Verdelho and 8% Grenache Blanc (five days skin contact). Grapes sourced from across the Western Cape. No Colombar and Palamino as was the case in 2021 and 2022. Stone fruit, lemon, soft citrus, potpourri, ginger and a little yeasty complexity on the nose. The palate is intense but not weighty – good clarity of fruit and snappy acidity before a finish that’s dry, more salty than grippy."

- Christian Eedes
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Producer


Lourens Family Wines

Region


Western Cape

Country


South Africa

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