We are proud to present the latest releases from Franco Lourens of Lourens Family Wines. This boutique family-run project, though small, is making a big impact both in South Africa and internationally.
Franco jokes that he is a lazy winemaker and lets the grapes do all the work but hearing him describe the components of each blend reveals a profound level of craft and attention to detail.
Franco Lourens — who worked for years with Chris Alheit — is now making his own wines under the Lourens Family Wines brand. His Lindi Carien white blend (Verdelho, Grenache, Colombard, Palomino and Chenin Blanc) is nuanced, detailed and very fine.
Michael Fridjhon Business Daily Live
Franco really enjoys the process of blending wines, choosing components for what they bring to the blend. He says that in a tricky vintage like 2022 you can adapt your picking dates. This allows him to blend the different elements together to make a great wine in a difficult year.
His dedication is evident in his sourcing of excellent old vine Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Palomino from Piekenierskloof for the ‘Lindi Carien’. A round trip takes Franco a 6-hour drive, which he takes periodically to check on the development of the grapes.
The ‘Lindi Carien’ is named for Franco’s beautiful wife, who he will tell you with a big smile is “way out of his league.” The first vintage was just two barrels – sold to friends and family, with the proceeds going towards her wedding ring.
This wine is an excellent example of the Cape Blend style, bringing together a strong backbone of Chenin Blanc with various components of Verdelho, Colombar, Grenache Blanc and Palomino.
Christian Eedes, Winemag 94/100 “52% Chenin Blanc, 27% Verdelho, 13% Colombar, 5% Grenache Blanc (five days skin contact) and 3% Palomino sourced variously from Piekenierskloof, Stellenbosch and Voor-Paardeberg. Matured for 10 months in old 300- and 500-litre barrels. Some floral perfume before stone fruit, orange, spice and a little waxy character on the nose while the palate has good fruit weight, moderate acidity and a gently savoury finish. A wine with a subtle oxidative quality, nicely tangy with a little bit of phenolic grip. Alc: 13%.”
Tim Atkin 94/100 ” “A picture of the Cape” is how Franco Lourens describe this pan-regional cuvée of six different varieties, dominated by Chenin Blanc with back up from 48% Verdelho, Colombard, Grenache Blanc, Palomino and Malvasía. Showing some structure from partial skin contact, it has quince, yellow apple and subtle stone fruit flavours and a chiselled, mouth-watering finish.”
Neal Martin, Vinous “The well-defined nose has white peach, Conference pear and a touch of fern, with combination of white varieties working well together… Clever, nuanced winemaking here.”
Following the strong theme of ‘family’ in Franco’s wines, the ‘Howard John’ is a tribute to his father (and early investor). The real Howard John is known to nip into the cellar to help himself to his eponymous (and irresistible) wine.
Franco says he wanted to make a red wine that packs a punch when paired with food, but also has the versatility of a wine that is approachable and drinkable in a more casual setting.
44% Grenache builds a youthful fruit profile and perfume at the core of the wine. Cinsaut adds a light and fruity element, while the 28% Syrah contributes a black olive brininess.
Christian Eedes, Winemag 94/100 “44% Grenache, 28% Cinsault and 28% Syrah, all sourced from the Swartland, some 40% fermented with stems, before maturation lasting 10 months in old 300- and 500-litre barrels. Expressive aromatics of red and black berries, orange, olive, lavender and herbs while the palate has good fruit concentration, snappy acidity and crunchy tannins. Juicy on entry but ends savoury, the different components combining to good effect.”
Tim Atkin 93/100 “Three growers supply the grapes for this Swartland assemblage of Grenache with 28% each of Syrah and Cinsault, made in a style that is “drinkable but serious”, according to Franco Lourens. Savoury, peppery and spicy, with some whole bunch perfume and texture and a macedoine of plum, pomegranate and blackberry fruit.”
Neal Martin, Vinous “It has a perfumed, more floral bouquet with pressed rose petals infusing the redcurrant and raspberry fruit.”
Lourens Family Wines | New Releases
LOURENS FAMILY WINES
New Releases
We are proud to present the latest releases from Franco Lourens of Lourens Family Wines. This boutique family-run project, though small, is making a big impact both in South Africa and internationally.
Franco jokes that he is a lazy winemaker and lets the grapes do all the work but hearing him describe the components of each blend reveals a profound level of craft and attention to detail.
Franco Lourens — who worked for years with Chris Alheit — is now making his own wines under the Lourens Family Wines brand. His Lindi Carien white blend (Verdelho, Grenache, Colombard, Palomino and Chenin Blanc) is nuanced, detailed and very fine.
Michael Fridjhon
Business Daily Live
Franco really enjoys the process of blending wines, choosing components for what they bring to the blend. He says that in a tricky vintage like 2022 you can adapt your picking dates. This allows him to blend the different elements together to make a great wine in a difficult year.
His dedication is evident in his sourcing of excellent old vine Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Palomino from Piekenierskloof for the ‘Lindi Carien’. A round trip takes Franco a 6-hour drive, which he takes periodically to check on the development of the grapes.
The wines
Lourens Family ‘Lindi Carien’ 2022
R295.00Lourens Family ‘Lindi Carien’ 2022
The ‘Lindi Carien’ is named for Franco’s beautiful wife, who he will tell you with a big smile is “way out of his league.” The first vintage was just two barrels – sold to friends and family, with the proceeds going towards her wedding ring.
This wine is an excellent example of the Cape Blend style, bringing together a strong backbone of Chenin Blanc with various components of Verdelho, Colombar, Grenache Blanc and Palomino.
Christian Eedes, Winemag 94/100
“52% Chenin Blanc, 27% Verdelho, 13% Colombar, 5% Grenache Blanc (five days skin contact) and 3% Palomino sourced variously from Piekenierskloof, Stellenbosch and Voor-Paardeberg. Matured for 10 months in old 300- and 500-litre barrels. Some floral perfume before stone fruit, orange, spice and a little waxy character on the nose while the palate has good fruit weight, moderate acidity and a gently savoury finish. A wine with a subtle oxidative quality, nicely tangy with a little bit of phenolic grip. Alc: 13%.”
Tim Atkin 94/100
” “A picture of the Cape” is how Franco Lourens describe this pan-regional cuvée of six different varieties, dominated by Chenin Blanc with back up from 48% Verdelho, Colombard, Grenache Blanc, Palomino and Malvasía. Showing some structure from partial skin contact, it has quince, yellow apple and subtle stone fruit flavours and a chiselled, mouth-watering finish.”
Neal Martin, Vinous
“The well-defined nose has white peach, Conference pear and a touch of fern, with combination of white varieties working well together… Clever, nuanced winemaking here.”
Lourens Family ‘Howard John’ 2022
R295.00Lourens Family ‘Howard John’ 2022
WO Swartland
Following the strong theme of ‘family’ in Franco’s wines, the ‘Howard John’ is a tribute to his father (and early investor). The real Howard John is known to nip into the cellar to help himself to his eponymous (and irresistible) wine.
Franco says he wanted to make a red wine that packs a punch when paired with food, but also has the versatility of a wine that is approachable and drinkable in a more casual setting.
44% Grenache builds a youthful fruit profile and perfume at the core of the wine. Cinsaut adds a light and fruity element, while the 28% Syrah contributes a black olive brininess.
Christian Eedes, Winemag 94/100
“44% Grenache, 28% Cinsault and 28% Syrah, all sourced from the Swartland, some 40% fermented with stems, before maturation lasting 10 months in old 300- and 500-litre barrels. Expressive aromatics of red and black berries, orange, olive, lavender and herbs while the palate has good fruit concentration, snappy acidity and crunchy tannins. Juicy on entry but ends savoury, the different components combining to good effect.”
Tim Atkin 93/100
“Three growers supply the grapes for this Swartland assemblage of Grenache with 28% each of Syrah and Cinsault, made in a style that is “drinkable but serious”, according to Franco Lourens. Savoury, peppery and spicy, with some whole bunch perfume and texture and a macedoine of plum, pomegranate and blackberry fruit.”
Neal Martin, Vinous
“It has a perfumed, more floral bouquet with pressed rose petals infusing the redcurrant and raspberry fruit.”
View Lourens Family Wines in the shop
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