“Her latest releases are sublime.” – Neal Martin
“Readers should check out the Lismore 2024 Chardonnay Reserve and Syrah Estate Reserve 2023, which are genuinely world class.” – Neal Martin
There is one set of new releases that continually capture the imagination of our customers…the outstanding wines of Samantha O’Keefe at Lismore Estate. We are so fortunate that Samantha didn’t throw in the towel following the devastating wildfire at her estate in 2019. Each year since her little piece of paradise high up in the Overberg Mountains, just outside the town of Greyton, has produced the most majestic array of wines, with production steadily getting back to where it was before the fire.
As Samantha’s stint as chair of the Cape Winemakers Guild comes to an end following a record-breaking wine auction, we offer her latest 2024 Estate Reserve whites, 2023 Reserve Syrah, and the newest releases from around the Cape South Coast. Yet again, Lismore stands at the pinnacle of the South African wine industry with unique and individually expressive wines that receive high scores and excellent reviews from Neal Martin.
The 2024 Estate Reserve whites are beautiful, with the Chardonnay being the pick of the bunch, as endorsed by Neal Martin: “If you find better aromatics on a Cape Chardonnay in 2024 than this, then do let me know”. The Estate Reserve Viognier is amongst the very best in the world, and the Roussanne- dominant Cuvée Blanc is packed with flavour and aromatics and wonderfully fresh at the same time.
Words don’t do justice to the Estate Reserve Syrah 2023, which is the ultimate cool climate expression of Syrah. Also offered for the first time is the 2023 Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc “…simply one of the best Sauvignon Blancs I tasted in the Cape…” said Neal Martin in his recent review of South African wine.
The rest of the Cape South Coast wines are not ready for release, so included in the offer is a re-release of the Age of Grace Viognier 2023, along with the superb 2022 wines from the Cape South Coast range - Chenin Blanc 2022, Chardonnay 2022, Pinot Noir 2022 & Syrah 2022.
Read more about Sam's extraordinary journey to becoming one of South Africa's best winemakers in the profile below.
New releases are offered pre-shipment, expected in the UK in Spring 2026. All other wines are available from bond, for delivery this December.
Producer Profile
Lismore Estate, South Africa
Owner and Winemaker Samantha O'Keefe was a TV executive in LA and a single mother of two, with no winemaking experience. She bought a remote mountain in South Africa in the early 2000s and planted a vineyard. In 2019, Neal Martin tasted the wines and ranked them with the greatest in the world. The story already read like a script for a TV drama, but then, just before Christmas 2019, we learnt that her home and winery had been destroyed in a devastating wildfire, which she and her staff narrowly escaped with their lives.
'TV drama' comparisons do not do justice to what is likely to have been a traumatic experience for Sam. A crowdfunding site was set up and other SA wineries lent barrels to make her 2020 vintage. Happily, most of the vines have escaped damage and Sam's 2018 vintage was already in bottle, stored in cellars away from the winery.
Self-taught as a winemaker, in a short space of time, Samantha created wines to vie with the very best in the world. Neal Martin compares the Reserve Chardonnay to Corton-Charlemagne, whilst on Jancisrobinson.com Julia Harding MW describes the Hermitage-like Syrah as 'mouth-wateringly good'.
For Martin these are among a new breed of wines "born in climactic knife-edge, dry-farmed vineyards, often from ancient vines, and with minimal intervention by talented and frequently young winemakers in the opening chapters of long careers."| RED | 2020 | 5 cases | Lismore Estate - Syrah | 75cl | £160 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Syrah 2020 / 5 cases / 75cl £160 per case of 6 |
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Tasting NotesA very restrained nose of cassis and hedgerow fruits with classic white pepper, violet and herbs, this is remarkably reminiscent of Cornas or top St-Josephs, cool and classical in style. It should be drinking well on landing and for the medium term, over the next decade. RKL |
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| WHITE | 2021 | 5 cases | Lismore Estate - Chenin Blanc | 75cl | £130 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Chenin Blanc 2021 / 5 cases / 75cl £130 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes“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. 2022-2027. 94 points." Tim Atkin MW------“The 2021 Chenin Blanc comes from fruit that Samanth O’Keefe brought in after the wildfire. It is whole bunch pressed, oxidatively handled and sees 15% new oak. Yellow plum, egg whites and a touch of candle wax unfurls on the nose, very well defined. The palate is well defined with a fine bead of acidity, an elegant “cool” Chenin with a sleep and focused finish. Wonderful. 2022-2036. 92 points." Neal Martin, Vinous |
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| RED | 2021 | 5 cases | Lismore Estate - Pinot Noir | 75cl | £160 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Pinot Noir 2021 / 5 cases / 75cl £160 per case of 6 |
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| RED | 2021 | 3 cases | Lismore Estate - Reserve Syrah | 75cl | £280 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Reserve Syrah 2021 / 3 cases / 75cl £280 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"I'm very happy with 12% alcohol," says Samantha O'Keefe of the small quantities of this late-picked Syrah from Greyton's distinctly cool climate. Featuring 50% whole bunches, it's a taut, refreshing, intensely peppery, sage and oregano-scented style with cranberry and pomegranate fruit, spicy, savoury tannins, deftly handled 32% new wood and a pithy finish. Drink 2024-30. 95 points" Tim Atkin------"The 2021 Syrah Estate Reserve, which comes from the vineyard most damaged by the fire in 2020, is 50% whole bunches and aged in 500 and 700-liter barrels, 25% new. The potent nose of raspberry coulis, blueberry and touches of cough candy, taking its time to settle in the glass and lose it initial exuberance. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiselled, slightly chalky tannins. Its fresh and vibrant, sapid towards the finish, with a long, Côte-Rôtie-like aftertaste and garrigue notes filtering through with time. This should be afforded a couple of years in bottle and will continue to evolve over the next 15-20 years. Just 12% alcohol, too. Drinking Window 2025-2045. 94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| WHITE | 2021 | 1 case | Lismore Estate - Viognier 'Age of Grace' | 75cl | £105 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Viognier 'Age of Grace' 2021 / 1 case / 75cl £105 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes“The 2021 Viognier The Age of Grace comes from Sutherland and bot River, whole bunch pressed with 11 months on the lees using 15% concrete eggs. With pretty white peach and Mirabelle scents on the nose, this takes time to blossom but it never fully lets go. The palace is medium-bodied with a generous dried apricot, mango and spice-box entry, nothing blowsy here with a very focused, almost understated finish. Excellent. 2023-2036. 93+ points." Neal Martin, Vinous------"Sam O'Keefe gets the grapes for this stylish, commercially significant Viognier from Elgin and Bot River, rather than her home base in Greyton. Fermented in 5% new barrels and concrete eggs, it's a suitably graceful, subtle Viognier, with aniseed, pear and apricot skin flavours and tangy supporting acidity. 2022-2027. 92 points." Tim Atkin MW |
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| WHITE | 2022 | 5 cases | Lismore Estate - Barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc | 75cl | £104 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 5 cases / 75cl £104 per case of 6 |
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| WHITE | 2022 | 5 cases | Lismore Estate - Chardonnay | 75cl | £130 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Chardonnay 2022 / 5 cases / 75cl £130 per case of 6 |
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| WHITE | 2022 | Lismore Estate - Chardonnay Estate Reserve | 75cl | £200 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Chardonnay Estate Reserve 2022 / / 75cl £200 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2022 Chardonnay Reserve comprises fruit from the Greyton homestead, which is oxidatively handled and fermented for 11 months in 500-liter barrels (25% new). After swirling to address the reduction, it reveals concentrated scents of dried honey, melted candle wax, orange blossom and a touch of grilled walnut. The palate is well-balanced with mineral-infused slightly tropical fruit, quince and hints of guava that merge into a more mineral-driven taut finish. Quite multi-faceted Chardonnay, this will age with style and panache. If that Corton-Charlemagne is a bit over-priced…and it probably is…then you know where to come. Drinking Window 2024-2040. 96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| WHITE | 2022 | 5 cases | Lismore Estate - Chenin Blanc | 75cl | £120 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Chenin Blanc 2022 / 5 cases / 75cl £120 per case of 6 |
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| WHITE | 2022 | 5 cases | Lismore Estate - Cuvée Blanc Reserve | 75cl | £200 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Cuvée Blanc Reserve 2022 / 5 cases / 75cl £200 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"Cuvee Blanc Reserve is a new wine, a blend of 90% Roussanne, 5% Viognier and 5% Chardonnay; the Roussanne grafted onto the truns after the fire two years earlier (the roots are from 2016). Whole bunch pressed and raised for 11 months on the lees. It offers yellow plum, jasmine, broom and orange blossom scents, well-defined and demonstrating the same welcome restrain as the Viognier. The well-balanced palate has grapefruit and tangerine on the entry, a silver bead of acidity, and veins of lemongrass embroidered toward the long finish. Very seductive. Superb expression of Roussanne; this comes highly recommended. Drinking Window 2024-2036. 93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| WHITE | 2022 | 5 cases | Lismore Estate - Reserve Chardonnay | 75cl | £200 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2022 / 5 cases / 75cl £200 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2022 Chardonnay Reserve comprises fruit from the Greyton homestead, which is oxidatively handled and fermented for 11 months in 500-liter barrels (25% new). After swirling to address the reduction, it reveals concentrated scents of dried honey, melted candle wax, orange blossom and a touch of grilled walnut. The palate is well-balanced with mineral-infused slightly tropical fruit, quince and hints of guava that merge into a more mineral-driven taut finish. Quite multi-faceted Chardonnay, this will age with style and panache. If that Corton-Charlemagne is a bit over-priced…and it probably is…then you know where to come. Drinking Window 2024-2040. 96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2022 | 1 case | Lismore Estate - Syrah Estate Reserve | 75cl | £260 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Syrah Estate Reserve 2022 / 1 case / 75cl £260 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"I'm very happy with 12% alcohol," says Samantha O'Keefe of the small quantities of this late-picked Syrah from Greyton's distinctly cool climate. Featuring 50% whole bunches, it's a taut, refreshing, intensely peppery, sage and oregano-scented style with cranberry and pomegranate fruit, spicy, savoury tannins, deftly handled 32% new wood and a pithy finish. Drink 2024-30. 95 points" Tim Atkin------"The 2021 Syrah Estate Reserve, which comes from the vineyard most damaged by the fire in 2020, is 50% whole bunches and aged in 500 and 700-liter barrels, 25% new. The potent nose of raspberry coulis, blueberry and touches of cough candy, taking its time to settle in the glass and lose it initial exuberance. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiselled, slightly chalky tannins. Its fresh and vibrant, sapid towards the finish, with a long, Côte-Rôtie-like aftertaste and garrigue notes filtering through with time. This should be afforded a couple of years in bottle and will continue to evolve over the next 15-20 years. Just 12% alcohol, too. Drinking Window 2025-2045. 94 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| WHITE | 2022 | 5 cases | Lismore Estate - Viognier 'Age of Grace' | 75cl | £104 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Viognier 'Age of Grace' 2022 / 5 cases / 75cl £104 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2022 Viognier The Age of Grace comes from five parcels, is oxidatively handled, whole bunch pressed, and 30% raised in concrete egg, spending 11 months on the lees. Intoxicating on the nose, this offers citrus fruit, frangipane, beeswax and orange blossom scents, very perfumed but not as overpowering as this grape variety can be. The palate is well-balanced with yellow fruit, orange rind and nectarine, a silver bead of acidity and wonderful precision on the sustained finish. So Crystalline! A triumph. Drinking Window 2024-2040. 95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| WHITE | 2023 | Lismore Estate - Barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc | 75cl | £124 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2023 / / 75cl £124 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes“The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Barrel Fermented was whole-bunch-pressed and oxidatively handled. It saw 10% skin contact and spent 11 months on the lees in 5% new French oak. This has what you might call a gentle nose, with scents of nettle and Golden Delicious. The palate is just wonderful: crisp green apple mixed with kiwi fruit and a touch of white pepper. This is simply one of the best Sauvignon Blancs I tasted in the Cape during my trip.” Drinking Window: 2025 – 2035. 92 points." Neal Martin, Vinous, Aug '25 |
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| WHITE | 2023 | 2 cases | Lismore Estate - Chardonnay Estate Reserve | 75cl | £220 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Chardonnay Estate Reserve 2023 / 2 cases / 75cl £220 per case of 6 |
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| WHITE | 2023 | Lismore Estate - Reserve Chardonnay | 75cl | £220 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2023 / / 75cl £220 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2023 Chardonnay Reserve comes from the estate. The juice was oxidatively handled and aged on the lees for 11 months in 500-liter barrels. This has a very complex bouquet with wild honey, orange pith and fine mineralité. It just soars from the glass. The palate is well balanced with fine delineation. It's tensile, focused and vibrant, with a precise and persistent finish. If there's a better Chardonnay from the Cape this vintage, I haven't tasted it. 96 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| RED | 2023 | Lismore Estate - Reserve Syrah | 75cl | £298 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Reserve Syrah 2023 / / 75cl £298 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes“The 2023 Syrah Estate Reserve comes from the estate, 50% whole cluster and aged in 500-litre used oak barrels. This is very intense on the nose, very complex and Cornas-like: black fruit, volcanic rock, cracked black pepper and a touch of thyme. Wonderful delineation and it really evolves in the glass. The palate has exquisite balance, a keen line of acidity, touches of allspice and white pepper, gaining depth with a structured finish that has wonderful symmetry. A quite brilliant Syrah from Samantha O'Keefe.” Drinking Window: 2027 – 2048. 96 points." Neal Martin, Vinous, Aug '25 |
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| WHITE | 2023 | 5 cases | Lismore Estate - Viognier 'Age of Grace' | 75cl | £110 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Viognier 'Age of Grace' 2023 / 5 cases / 75cl £110 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The 2023 Viognier The Age of Grace comes from several vineyards. It was made in an oxidative style, whole-bunch-pressed and aged in a mix of concrete eggs and multi-format oak. Delineated and focused, this takes time to open in the glass, unfurling with lemon curd and nectarine. The palate is very well balanced with a killer line of acidity. There's real tension and mineralité, so that it is almost Chenin-like on the finish. Excellent. 93 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com |
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| WHITE | 2023 | 5 cases | Lismore Estate - Viognier Estate Reserve | 75cl | £200 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Viognier Estate Reserve 2023 / 5 cases / 75cl £200 per case of 6 |
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| WHITE | 2024 | Lismore Estate - Cuvée Blanc Reserve | 75cl | £209 per case of 6 | Lismore Estate Cuvée Blanc Reserve 2024 / / 75cl £209 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes“The 2024 Cuvée Blanc Reserve is a blend of 90% Roussanne from the farm planted in 2016 that grew back after the fire, augmented by Viognier. The variety comes through strongly on the nose with nectarine and tangerine, very intense and defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a velvety smooth entry. Real y pure, seductive fruit, gentle grip, a most weightless on the finish, but th-s is packed with flavour. Samantha O'Keefe mentioned that th-s is planted on a very cool slope and I think that benefits this cuvée. 94 points. 2025-2042. 94 points." Neal Martin, Vinous, Aug '25 |
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