Every wine has a story to tell and sometimes the truth behind the bottle will break your heart. Several weeks ago, I tasted 2017 Lismore Estate Reserve Chardonnay, Western Cape, South Africa ($40) and I haven’t stopped thinking about this exceptional wine and the intriguing woman who made it, Samantha O’Keefe. In a world where “anything but Chardonnay” has become a misguided mantra for many drinkers, Samantha has crafted an exuberant, balanced, and regal wine that will wow even the most jaded drinker. I loved the wine so much, I even sent a photo of the bottle to my boyfriend, a very talented and discerning sommelier, and told him that he must try it.
I recently learned that Samantha’s home and winery were reduced to ashes in a fire and my heart broke for her and her family. Although, we only chatted for a few minutes, Samantha made a lasting impression. Not only is she a talented winemaker, she has chutzpah. Many people dream about moving to a faraway land to make wine but Samantha, a Californian, actually did it. Her website states that in South Africa, Samantha found “paradise and the perfect terroir.”
The fire may have damaged paradise but not Samantha’s passion and tenacity. Via Facebook she shared a message that further increased my admiration: “We have experienced a tragedy like nothing we could have ever imagined. Thank you for the outpouring of love and support from the South African wine industry and everyone around the globe. Our hearts are broken, our home and my precious cellar is reduced to ashes but it seems some of our vines are as tough as we are and may survive it all. All of our bottled stock was stored off-site in Stellenbosch. I can assure everyone that Lismore wines remain available to the market. With the generous offers of cellar space, I will produce a 2020 vintage and will rebuild.”
So, if you see a bottle of Lismore at your local wine retailer or on a wine list, please show your support. And, I must thank Anthony Mueller, sommelier and Robert Parker Wine Advocate reviewer, for introducing me to Lismore and Samantha at their recent Wine Discoveries event in New York City. Not only did Anthony award the 2017 Lismore Estate Reserve Chardonnay 94 points, he selected to highlight it as his discovery of the year. Trust me, that’s a big deal.
I’ll defer to Anthony’s spot-on tasting notes: “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.”
I love the balanced richness of this Chardonnay. Elegant and joyous, its tapestry of flavors make a bold impact without being overbearing. Try it. It’s marvelous. And you’ll be doing your part to help Samantha write the next chapter of her winemaking story.