Lanzerac expands its premium range with new wines

“We couldn’t have asked for better timing to release these wines," says cellar master Wynand Lategan. “Chenin Blanc seems to be the talk of the town now and the quality of South African Chenin Blancs has shown vast improvement year on year. The same applies to the Syrah. It took some time to perfect the style of what we wanted to achieve, but the vineyards have matured beautifully allowing us to release a terroir-specific Syrah from the Jonkershoek Valley that we are proud to showcase.”

Both varietals are produced from vineyards in the Jonkershoek Valley, one of the oldest and smallest wards in the greater Stellenbosch appellation. The Valley itself is entrenched by the Botmaskop, Jonkershoek and Stellenbosch mountains and despite the current drought in the Western Cape still regularly records higher rainfall figures than the rest of Stellenbosch. The lay of the valley also means that the South-Eastern wind plays a major part in the Valley’s unique climate, resulting in a continuous cooling effect, even in the middle of the scorching summer months.

Wynand feels that the Chenin Blanc shows typical varietal characteristics with an abundance of apricot and peach flavours which are supported by ripe pineapple. The 22% Oak maturation ensures a soft, creamy finish with a lingering aftertaste. Perfect for lazy summer evenings as the weather starts to cool, the Lanzerac Chenin Blanc 2016 is ready to drink now and will reach its maximum potential if cellared correctly until 2018. The wine pairs beautifully with chicken liver parfait served with a homemade apple chutney and toasted brioche, sweet and sour pork, scallops, white-rind cheese such as Brie, and even roasted root vegetables.

As its name implies the Lanzerac Syrah 2015 personifies the cooler climate of the Jonkershoek Valley, and Wynand describes this lighter styled premium red wine – the first from Lanzerac in more than 10 years – as showing aromas of white pepper, coriander, fynbos and red wine poached plums, following through to a complex palate of ripe red and black berries with a savoury undertone. The Lanzerac Syrah is made in a style that will satisfy wine lovers that want to enjoy the wine immediately, but it can also be cellared for another three years. A culinary match made in heaven, the wine pairs perfectly with a platter of cured meats, paprika-roasted leg of lamb, grilled rib eye steak and lamb shanks prepared in a Syrah jus.