Reserve Chardonnay, Lismore Estate Vineyards 2025

The 2025 Chardonnay Reserve comes from Greyton fruit that produces tiny bunches and is aged on the lees in 300-litre and 500-litre barrels for 11 months. The bouquet is very tempting with touches of citrus peel, orange pith and hints of walnut that become more prominent with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a harmonious texture, quite Meursault-like in style with just the right amount of tension and pepperiness that lifts and extends the finish. Outstanding. Drinking Window: 2026 – 2042

After some tricky recent vintages out in Greyton, 2025 was plain sailing for Samantha O’Keefe. You have to say that she deserves a break. Made with dry-farmed “bonzi vines”, it’s a Chardonnay with corresponding structure and concentration that develops well in bottle. This has density and some phenolic grip, toasty 25% new wood and a racy, fynbos and citrus-infused finish. Drink 2027-35