‘It’s been a while since I was so excited about the release of a vintage’ – Franco Lourens
Franco Lourens deserves your attention. He’s been working on his own wines for a decade, and the latest releases are ‘precise, fresh and represent where they’re from like never before’, he explains.
Franco approaches blending like a puzzle – combining incredible vineyards to produce wines that still speak of their terroir. The Chenins are poised, layered and bursting with complexity. The Grenache is one of the finest out there, and the blends are stamps of pure individuality.
The 2024 Lindi Carien White Blend is more enticing and savoury than the 2023, showing delineated fruit and texture in spades. Drink it with food, with friends, and everything in between.
‘High elevation, sandstone soils and a pretty dodgy trellised system gives you something so unique,’ says Franco of the 95-point Skuinskap Steen 2024. From a vineyard planted in 1977, the sheer concentration and complexity are thrilling.
The new, 97-point Mathias Steen is powerful and ‘riveting’ (Christian Eedes). From a tiny vineyard in the Paardeberg planted in 1981, it’s a love letter to Swartland Chenin. Also new is the 100% Verdelho from Stellenbosch, Proefkonyn 2024. It’s salty and laced with lemon and blood orange pith – a wine of density, without lacking tension.
His rare 95-point Lua Grenache is superb in 2024. From a block planted in 1988 at 680m above sea level in Piekenierskloof, it’s deep, bright and so pretty with arresting aromatics. The elegance, intensity and super structured palate guarantee a long life ahead.
The precision of the 2024 Howard John Red Blend is remarkable. It’s full of flavour and showcases the Swartland in the most refined way. ‘Approachable now but balanced and structured enough to drink well until at least 2030,’ remarks Eedes.
Tasting Notes:
Lourens Family Wines Lindi Carien White Blend 2024
‘Lindi Carien is a brilliant three-way blend of Chenin Blanc, 23% Verdelho and 11% Colombard from the Piekenierskloof, the Swartland and Stellenbosch. Lightly skin macerated for a portion of the wine, it has texture from full malolactic, lime, quince and yellow apple flavours and a whisper of old oak.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2025, 94/100
Lourens Family Wines Skuinskap Steen 2024
‘From a Piekenierskloof vineyard planted on sandstone at 750m above sea level in 1977. Smoky reduction precedes pear, peach, a hint of citrus and straw on the nose. Light yet intensely flavoured with crisp acidity and an ultra-dry finish. Elegant, linear and taut. Alc: 13.32%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100
Lourens Family Wines Mathias Steen 2024
‘NEW. From a 0.9ha Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1981. Lime, lemon, green apple, peach, herbs, a hint of ginger and some leesy complexity. Super-concentrated with punchy acidity, the finish long and savoury, slightly pithy in texture. A riveting wine – great focus with plenty of hidden power. Al: 13.34%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 97/100
Lourens Family Wines Proefkonyn White 2024
‘This is the second vintage of a stand-alone Verdelho from Franco Lourens, all sourced from Cavali’s extensive estate in Stellenbosch. Fermented and aged in older barrels, with maturation on fine lees, it’s sappy, focused and bone dry, showing pear and subtle stone fruit flavours and a savoury finish.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2025, 93/100
Lourens Family Wines Lua Grenache 2024
‘”Grenache can run away with you if you work it too hard,” says Franco Lourens, but that’s not the case on this elegant, yet well-structured example from a sandstone-dominated vineyard at 650 metres in Piekenierskloof. Fermented with 25% stems, it’s a graceful, energetic red with layers of wild strawberry, plum and rooibos tea and some savoury intrigue.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2025, 95/100
Lourens Family Wines Howard John Red Blend 2024
‘44% Grenache, 39% Cinsault and 17% Syrah sourced from Swartland. 30% whole-bunch fermentation. Enticing aromatics of red berries, pomegranate, rose, fynbos and a hint of white pepper. With succulent fruit, lively acidity and chalky tannins. Approachable now but balanced and structured enough to drink well until at least 2030. Alc: 13.82%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100
