KYSELA PERE ET FILS, LTD.

"Back in December I wrote a Blog about some of the astounding white wines coming out of South Africa—like this Lismore. I think of myself as a pretty tough critic of Chardonnay, but this wine is simply superb—on par with, say, Kistler in Sonoma, California. The incredible complexity and layer after layer of rich flavor is astounding—crème brûlée meets tarte Tatin plus spices and minerals. And a finish that’s languorously long. In short, if you love Chardonnay, you must try this. Lismore Estate, owned by California ex-pat Samantha O’Keefe, lies in the foothills of a mountain range at the very bottom of Africa.- Karen MacNeil "

- WineSpeed (January 2024), 95 pts

"The 2021 Chardonnay Estate Reserve is 100% from Greyton matured for 11 months in 500-litre barrels, 40% new. It has a wonderful bouquet with honeydew melon, apricot blossom and light crushed stone scents that percolate through with time. The palate is very well balanced with tropical hints of passion fruit and guava, but the acidity keeps everything on a tight course, very minerally on the finish. Top class.- Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (September 2022), 94 pts

"Sam O'Keefe was given the fruit from this Stanford vineyard in 2020 after the fire at Lismore, but liked it so much that she's made it a permanent feature of her range. Fermented in 20% new oak, it's perfumed and stony, with jasmine aromas, some struck match reduction and a tangy, low alcohol finish. 2022-27"

- Tim Atkin, South Africa Report 2022, 94 pts

"A harmonious white, fresh and focused, but offering sweet accents of vanilla and spun honey to the flavors of creamed apple, lemon meringue pie and toasted hazelnut. Lacy, lingering finish. Drink now through 2026.-AN"

- Wine Spectator (November 2023), 91 pts

"Aromas of apples and pears, under ripe pineapple, lemon peel and white flowers. Full-bodied with a round mouthfeel, subtle fruit character and creamy, flavorful finish. Drink now."

- James Suckling (November 2022), 90 pts

"The 2020 Chardonnay Reserve Estate is the only Reserve wine whose fruit survived the wildfire in 2018. It has a glorious bouquet that is Premier Cru Burgundy in quality, featuring wonderful, brilliantly delineated scents of citrus lemon and orange blossom and hints of black currant leaf. The palate is extremely well balanced, displaying wonderful poise allied with impressive concentration. There’s real depth and substance on the finish (where others have lacked in this vintage). An outstanding, world-class Chardonnay. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2021), 95 pts

"The Reserve Chardonnay blocks survived the fire in December 2019, thank goodness, so this was all made with Greyton grapes. Textured, structured and perfumed, with citrus and stone fruit flavours, creamy lees, a hint of toast, shimmering acidity and a mineral core. 2022-28"
- Tim Atkin, South Africa Report 2021, 94 pts

"Sam O'Keefe's Reserve bottling all comes from her picturesque estate in Greyton and is an impressive wine in 2018. The wood is better integrated than it was in the previous release, possibly because of the use of 40% malolactic fermentation. Citrus, pear and passion fruit flavors are supported by minerality, stony acidity and subtle wood spices. Delicious. 2019-25 Greyton (13.5%)"
- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2020 Special Report), 95 pts

"The 2018 Estate Reserve Chardonnay is aged for 11 months in 500-liter barrels, 30% new oak. It has a little more amplitude on the nose compared to the 2017 Chardonnay, and its aromas of citrus fruit, wet limestone and orange zest unfold gently. The palate is very well balanced with a fine line of acidity that cuts through the intense orange zest, apricot and white peach fruit. This is taut and wonderfully focused with just the right amount of salinity on the finish. Outstanding. - Neal Martin"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2019), 94 pts

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"The 2017 Estate Reserve Chardonnay was matured in 500-liter barrels using 40% new oak. It has quite a powerful bouquet of crushed stone, yellow stone fruit, jasmine and light walnut aromas that are very well defined, although it clearly needs a couple of years to absorb the oak. The palate is very precise on the entry, displaying notes of orange zest (veering toward blood orange), quince and nectarine. This has wonderful acidity and great build in the mouth toward a very impressive, almost Corton-Charlemagne-like finish. This will be outstanding once it reaches the peak of maturity. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (August 2018), 94 pts

"On the nose, the 2017 Estate Reserve Chardonnay has elegant, luscious red apples, lemon and pear tart and seductive floral notes of cherry blossom. It has excellent mouthfeel with perfect mid-palate weight and balance and elegant Chardonnay expression. The 35% new oak is harmoniously integrated and not heavy handed or overdone and it finishes long. This is beautiful and complex like Chassagne-Montrachet. Yes, this is tasty and collectible stuff! Stock your cellars now as these bottles won't last long. - Anthony Mueller"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 94 pts

Go to Lismore Reserve Chardonnay

"This is medium-rich in aroma, with tones of ripe mango, baked pear and caramelized pineapple atop a ripe apple core. The palate shows great overall balance, with pronounced verve in the lifted lime and orange tones and lingering vibrancy thanks to the bright acidity. The finish is medium-plus in length, with some soft spice on the back that grows in intensity with each sip.- LAUREN BUZZEO"

- Wine Enthusiast Magazine (April 2020), 92 pts

"Bravo to Lismore for the quality of this first Reserve Chardonnay, all made with fruit from the farm in Greyton. This has sufficient power and concentration to cope with the 40% new wood, supported by acidity and real focus. Sappy, structured and intense, with classic, quasi-Burgundian notes of struck match. 2018-23. - Tim Atkin"
- Tim Atkin (South Africa Report 2017), 93 pts

Go to Lismore Reserve Chardonnay

"Medium straw. Introduced by scents of flint, green citrus and underripe mango, the estate Chardonnay Reserve is Lismore’s icon wine. It’s mineral rich and focused with an incredibly pure, silky mouth feel and vibrant acidity. A great Chardonnay! Made with natural yeast and matured 11 months in 500L French oak, 40% new."
- International Wine Review (February 2018), 93 pts

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"First vintage of this wine, 40% new 500-litre barrels. A new departure as she prefers neutral oak.
The oak is more evident on the nose but it actually smells seductively delicious, not at all over-oaked. On the palate, an oatmeal richness. Has that lovely clementine fragrance of Meursault and a deep but dry texture. Definitely grand cru stuffing here. Needs longer in bottle for the richness and the acidity to marry more fully. Drink 2020-2026"
- Jancis Robison, "New Wave South Africa tasting" (October 2017)

Go to Lismore Reserve Chardonnay