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Lourens Family Wines

2024

‘Skuinskap’

Steen   |   Piekenierskloof - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

Franco was introduced to this single-vineyard Chenin Blanc site farmed by the Sandell family, through his good friend John Seccombe of Thorne & Daughters. It is a truly special vineyard planted in 1977 on sandstone soils at 2,500 feet in elevation in the far northern reaches past Swartland and into the Citrusdal Mountains. The vineyard gets very hot during the day but the nights are immensely the opposite.  The vineyard is organically, dry-farmed and is trellised on a ‘skuinskap’ system typically used for table grapes (and featured on the labels until 2024). It really is a special expression of this grape with finesse yet plenty of power.

The grapes were handpicked in two passes nearly a week apart from each other and hand sorted at the winery. Then the bunches are left intact and whole-bunch pressed and after a very light settling racked to old 500L French tonneau where the wine ferments on the lees. After 10 months in wood the wine is then racked to tank where it settled naturally without fining, and bottled with a coarse filtration and small sulfur addition.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc
  • Vineyard: Sandell Vineyard - farmed by Ryno Kellerman
  • Vine Age: 49-years-old
  • Soil Type: Decomposed sandstone with rocky sandstone fragments intermixed with clay
  • Viticulture: Practicing organic – dry-farmed
  • Fermentation: Native – 500L neutral French tonneau (whole-bunch pressed)
  • Skin Contact: None
  • Aging: 10 months in neutral 500L French tonneau on fine lees without stirring
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • pH: 3.1
  • Total Acidity: 6.7 g/L
  • Total SO2: 56 ppm
  • Total Production: 216 cases
  • UPC: 700083413857
  • SRP: $49.99

Tasting Note

Perched nearly 2,500 feet above sea level on ancient sandstone, this old-vine Chenin carries the quiet confidence of a vineyard that has little need to announce itself. Pear, yellow plum, lemon zest, apple blossom, and a touch of beeswax unfold alongside hints of crushed stone, fennel, and dried herbs with a feint hint of lemongrass.  The palate remains taut, precise, and quietly powerful, the finish lingers for minutes. The fruit is never the whole story as this wine tells a story of its habitat.

Press & Reviews

Vinous

92

"Wonderful nose, better than the '23, with yellow plum, melted candle wax and light apple blossom scents that unfold beautifully in the glass. The palate is well balanced with bright citrus fruit, peach and tangerine, a little spicier than the Lindi Carien cuvée thanks to a dab of lemongrass on the finish. Excellent."

- Neal Martin

The WineMag

95

"From a Piekenierskloof vineyard planted on sandstone at 750m above sea level in 1977. Smoky reduction precedes pear, peach, a hint of citrus and straw on the nose. Light yet intensely flavoured with crisp acidity and an ultra-dry finish. Elegant, linear and taut."

- Christian Eedes

James Suckling

94

"Wildflower honey, apricots, chalk, lemons, hints of pastries and crushed rocks in this cool and concentrated white. It’s medium- to full-bodied, focused and compact. Enormous freshness and tension. From 48-year-old vines in a small vineyard at 750m elevation. Drink or hold."

- Claire Nesbitt
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Producer


Lourens Family Wines

Region


Piekenierskloof

Country


South Africa

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