2022 Grenache Blanc
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Tasting notes
The fruit for this wine comes from the Voor-Paardeberg, on decomposed granite and clay, and Marelise Niemann gives it a two-day cold soak to add texture, and it’s also left on its gross lees for 10 months in large, old oak. There’s a hint of nutty richness here, but this Grenache Blanc is all about its texture and minerality, with an oily viscosity, the wine rolling around the tongue luxuriously, yet with a flinty minerality and phenolic grip that keeps it in check. The finish is long and mouth-watering, with fresh pear and honeysuckle, and more of that smoky minerality.
Critic scores
Average Score
Tim Atkin MW
Neal Martin, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Three separate Western Cape sources - on the Paardeberg, Voor Paardeberg and in Stellenbosch - supply the raw material for Marelise Niemann's structured, acid-driven Grenache Blanc. Cold soaked on skins for two days, it has impressive backbone, citrus, wet stone, saffron and green apple flavours and granite-derived minerality.
The 2022 Grenache Blanc blends three vineyards (Swartland, Paadeberg and Stellenbosch), barrel-fermented and aged 11 months in 500-liter French oak. It has an enticing oily/resinous bouquet with glimpses of orange rind and jasmine, a faint smokiness in the background. The palate is well-balanced with crisp acidity, lively in the mouth yet tender towards the finish with veins of yellow fruit mixed with stem ginger. What a lovely Grenache Blanc.
About the producer
Marelise Niemann’s Momento project is among South Africa’s most exciting. Named Tim Atkin MW’s Young Winemaker of the Year in 2023, Niemann farms old-vine parcels in Bot River and the Swartland, focusing on Grenache and crafting site-expressive wines that belong on the world stage.