The magic of Samantha O'Keefe
On tasting from noon today in our Bishopsgate shop
'Among others, Lismore will define the future of the Cape wine industry.' - Tim Atkin MW, 2018 South Africa Special Report
'Is there nothing Samantha cannot do?' - Neal Martin
When Samantha O'Keefe left California and a job in television to move to South Africa it was with the aim of building both a good life and something tangible for her children. She chose Greyton, far from any other wine producer. At 300 metres altitude and below a handy mountain, her farm is in a perfect situation. It benefits from winter snow and plenty of summer sunshine mitigated by cool nights and breezes.
O'Keefe's wines quickly attracted the attention of the critics with adulatory notes and scores. Robert Parker, Neal Martin and Tim Atkin MW all love the wines. In particular, Atkin rates the estate as a second division estate in his Cape classification, which means Lismore is well up in the top forty out of over two hundred wineries listed. Not bad for a start-up! We've been stocking them for a few years now and confidently agree that despite her short track record, Lismore is a vital component of South Africa's wine future.
Lismore's terroir is perfectly suited to deft and elegant old world expressions of cool climate grapes and blimey, she exploits that brilliantly. Her Viognier is one of the best I've ever tasted, the quality of fruit and clever use of older oak in the Chardonnay is so well judged. The Syrah reminds me of Sorrel and it shares with the Pinot Noir a tight-rope balance and exquisite purity. These are delicious wines to enjoy over the next few years and you should take the opportunity to get on the allocation bandwagon here while we can still get stock! /CW
Offered subject to remaining unsold; available immediately
