As one of SA’s finest winemakers, Marelise has a no-nonsense approach with an emphasis on natural acidity to protect her pH levels. Her first solo vintage was two barrels of Grenache Noir, and her love affair with the grape has deepened; she now works with all three Grenache varieties. The Momento Grenache Blanc 2022 has an open fruit profile and a pithy, dry end, with the 7% Verdelho adding an acid backbone. The Momento Grenache Gris 2022 is something different and special, with grip and a hint of haunting red fruit. Both wines should only be broached in a year or so for the fruit to open up. A 2020 Gris tasted was sublime!
The other red in her portfolio is the Momento Tinta Barocca 2021 – a wine of character. Ripe and brooding yet taut, fresh and dry on the finish, it needs time and is wild in the best sense.
These limited, small-batch releases are among our favourites.
