Viognier Age of Grace, Lismore Estate Vineyards 2023

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.

The Age of Grace is Samantha O’Keefe’s second tier Viognier, made with purchased grapes from Bot River, Elgin and Villiersdorp, but it’s still better than most of the competition. Weighty, textured, yet poised, it has subtle rose petal and peach skin aromas, a dab of cream, clementine and apricot fruit and a whisper of oak.