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Lourens Family Wines

2021

‘Skuinskap’

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

About

Franco was introduced to this single-vineyard Chenin Blanc site through his good friend John Seccombe of Thorne & Daughters. John pulls a bit of fruit from this vineyard, farmed by Ryno Kellerman, for his white blend as well as Sauvignon Blanc for a varietal wine. 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 is organically, dry-farmed and is trellised on a ‘skuinskap’ system pictured on the label, that is far more common with table grapes than Vinifera ones. It really is a special expression of this grape with finesse yet plenty of power.

The grapes were handpicked and hand sorted at the winery. Then the bunches are left intact and whole-bunch pressed and after a very light settling racked to older French barriques where the wine ferments on lees. Previous vintages were stirred; there was no battonage this year. After 10 months in wood the wine is then racked to tank and bottled without fining and only a very coarse filtration and small sulfur addition.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc
  • Vineyard: Sandell Vineyard - farmed by Ryno Kellerman
  • Vine Age: 46-years-old
  • Soil Type: Decomposed sandstone with rocky sandstone fragments intermixed with clay
  • Viticulture: Practicing organic – dry-farmed
  • Fermentation: Native – 500L neutral French tonneau
  • Skin Contact: None
  • Aging: 10 months in neutral 500L French tonneau on fine lees without stirring
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • pH: 3.2
  • Total Acidity: 6.7 g/L
  • Total SO2: 51 ppm
  • Total Production: 74 cases
  • UPC: 700083413857

Tasting Note

An intriguing nose of yellow stone fruits and herbs. The palate is bright and very well balanced, with clean acidity and savory salinity. It finishes long and smooth, with a touch of white pepper.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

97

"From a Piekenierskloof vineyard planted in 1977. Matured for 10 months in old 500-litre barrels. Complex aromatics of citrus, quince, peach, hay and dried herbs plus some leesy complexity. The palate is vivid and direct – super-concentrated fruit and punchy acidity, before a finish that is long and dry. Tightly wound and laser-like in its focus."

- Christian Eedes

Platter's Guide

94

"From 40+ year old elevated single-vineyard chenin, 2021 fruit-filled but not sweet, pipe peach & tangy acid, a ginger nuance too. Concentrated but not in-your-face, fresh but also sturdy, will go the distance."

-Cathy van Zyl

Tim Atkin, MW

95

"Planted in 1977 at 750 metres on sandstone soils in Piekenierskloof, Skuinskap is a vineyard that's "a dream to work with", according to Franco Lourens. Fresh, sappy and engagingly focused, it has aniseed and white pepper top notes, pear, peach and citrus fruit flavours and the faintest whisper of oak. 2023-29"

- Tim Atkin, MW
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Producer


Lourens Family Wines

Region


Piekenierskloof

Country


South Africa

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