Lourens Family Wines Skuinskap Steen 2023
Western Cape, South Africa ( 75 cL )
An Old-Vine Chenin Balancing Depth, Tension and High-Altitude Freshness
From a single vineyard planted in 1977 in Piekenierskloof, Skuinskap Steen captures the depth and tension of high-altitude Chenin Blanc. Stone fruit and citrus mingle with beeswax, fennel, herbs and crushed-stone notes. Dense and textured on the palate, it retains remarkable freshness, with precise structure and a long, dry, saline finish. Native fermentation is followed by ten months on fine lees in old 500-litre French oak tonneaux.
Based in Paarl in South Africa’s Western Cape, Lourens Family Wines is the project of Franco Lourens, founded in 2016. After working in South Africa and abroad, including Australia, California and Roussillon, Franco spent five years working alongside Chris Alheit before returning to Paarl in 2021.
His wines focus on expressing the character of their sites and grape varieties through a deliberately low-intervention approach in the cellar. Fermentations rely on native yeasts, with no added yeast, acid, enzymes or fining agents. Maturation takes place in older neutral oak, allowing the wines to retain their individuality, freshness and sense of place.
Lourens Family Wines Skuinskap Steen 2023
Western Cape, South Africa (75 cL)
Soil : Decomposed sandstone
Farming : Reasoned
Grape(s) : Chenin Blanc
Alcohol : 14.0°
Aging : 10 months in old barrels
Serving : 16°C - 18°C
Conservation : Now until 2035
Decanting : 30 minutes before serving
Pairing : Grilled fish, shellfish, roast poultry, spicy Asian cuisine, aged goat cheese.
