Platter 5 star 2023
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Momento Grenache Noir 2020

R369.00

Region: Swartland

Tasting note:

A slightly more savoury expression than its predecessor, the wine is Burgundian in profile, with dark cherry, cocoa and a light, peaty smokiness beside the trademark pretty aromatics of rose and pomegranate. A bright acidity and tightly wound suggestions of plenty more fruit to come augurs well for ageing.

‘Variety that started Marelise Niemann’s solo career, proved love at first taste. Perfumed 2020 captures rose, wild red berries & white pepper within its lithe, lively frame. Tannic grip & natural acidity foretell ageability, with greater complexity in store. Swartland fruit.’ – Platter’s Guide, 5*(95/100)

‘Grapes from Swartland bush vines on granite, winemaking involved 30% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 16 months in older oak. The nose is particularly fragrant with top notes of flowers and fynbos before cranberry, red cherry, white pepper and just a hint of earthiness while the palate is light and fresh with powdery tannins (alcohol is 13.29%). A wine of understatement and finesse.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 93/100

Food Pairing:

Roast pork belly, beetroot & goat’s cheese salad.

10 in stock.
As our stock is sold through our two retail outlets and online, stock levels are provided as a guide only and are liable to change.

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Momento began in 2013 while Marelise Niemann was winemaker at Beaumont Family Wines in Bot River.

She has since become known for wines of purity, elegance and honesty, working with old vines in both Bot River and the Swartland with a minimal intervention approach putting terroir front and centre.

That first vintage was two barrels of Grenache Noir and her love affair with the grape has deepened; she now works with all three Grenache varieties having added Grenache Blanc to the repertoire in 2019.

Now based at Anysbos farm next door to Gabrielskloof – where she spent four years alongside Crystallum and Thorne & Daughters – Marelise is becoming increasingly known as the champion of the variety.

The Grenaches Noir and Gris have become critically acclaimed and prized examples over the past few vintages, as has the outlier of the range, a Tinta Barocca made in a style akin to high-end Pinot Noir.

Marelise’s fascination with Grenache was stirred by her time in the Priorat region in Spain, where, along with Eben Sadie, she was inspired by how the old vine fruit was produced in such a fresh and vibrant way. She returned to South Africa determined seek out old vine Grenache.

Marelise is passionate about working with grape varieties that are well suited to South Africa’s climate.  That means vineyards that can handle low rainfall and high temperatures; that naturally fit in with the environment and don’t need excessive energy input.

Chenin, Verdelho, the Grenaches and Tinta are all cases in point, flourishing as they do in dry, warm conditions. For Marelise, working with grapes that are well adapted to where they are growing, reducing energy and water input and allowing vineyards to thrive naturally is the way forward.

The hand drawn vine on her labels is by artist Hennie Niemann Jnr, Marelise’s husband: an old vine with various personal characters worked into it.