Dear *|FNAME|*,

Marelise Niemann has just released three of the best wines she has ever made. And she has made great wine! Her trio of whites are exquisite, visceral expressions of the vintage – brilliantly captured by a winemaker at the top of her game. Known as THE Grenache queen in SA, Marelise is a quiet powerhouse when it comes to making smart wines that will last. If you love pure, energetic whites, these are for you.

To our minds, this is the finest Grenache Blanc in the country! The 96-point 2023 Grenache Blanc is filled with energy and focus. Notes of soft citrus and white florals follow through to a ‘finely delineated palate with a thrilling tension about it’, writes Christian Eedes.

The 95-point 2023 Grenache Gris is ‘full of flavour and entirely seductive’, says Christian. This characterful wine offers great drinking pleasure, yet haunting complexity.

Powerful and poised with crystalline fruit, the 96-point Chenin Verdelho 2023 is a masterful release that, like the duo above, should age for a decade and more.

Be sure to seek out her limited-release, terroir-based Grenache Noirs – the Botrivier Grenache, Piekenierskloof Grenache, and Riebeekberg Grenache – as well as her original Paardeberg Grenache and stellar Tinta Barocca. View the reds here.

Produced in small quantities, these limited wines are among Wine Cellar’s favourites.

Reply to this email or visit our website to place your order online.

Tasting notes

Momento Grenache Blanc 2023

'Grapes sourced from five vineyards predominantly on granite spread across the Western Cape. Partial skin contact lasting 48 hours. Pear, citrus, herbs and the merest hint of waxy complexity on the nose. The palate is finely delineated with a thrilling tension about it – super-concentrated fruit and driving acidity before a pithy finish. Alc: 13.59%.' – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100

Momento Grenache Gris 2023

'Grapes from Voor Paardeberg vineyard planted in 2013 on granite. Seven days of skin contact. A top note of potpourri before lemon, orange and red apple plus again some waxy complexity. Dense fruit matched by punchy acidity before an intensely savoury finish. Full of flavour and entirely seductive' – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100

Momento Chenin Blanc Verdelho 2023

'63% Chenin Blanc and 37% Verdelho. Grapes from five different sites on various soil types. Potpourri, citrus, peach, earth and some struck-match reduction on the nose. The palate is powerful yet vital, possessing both breadth and depth. Dense fruit, the finish long and dry.' – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100

Momento Paardeberg Grenache 2022

'The original. Grapes from a vineyard planted in the early 2000s. 20 – 30% whole-bunch fermentation for all four examples of the variety. Expressive aromatics of red berries, fynbos, earth and white pepper. Concentrated fruit, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Pure and focused. Alc: 12.52%.' – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100

Momento Botrivier Grenache 2022

'NEW. Grapes from Anysbos on schist. Strawberry, sour plum, black cherry, playdough, earth and spice on the nose. The palate is medium bodied and nicely balanced with bright acidity and fine tannins, the finish gently savoury. Alc: 12.31%.' – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 93/100

Momento Piekenierskloof Grenache 2022

'Piekenierskloof is Grenache's home from home in the Cape, especially when the vines were planted in 1978 on sandstone and grown at 762 metres. This is a stunning first release, with white pepper and patisserie aromas, layers of Turkish Delight and summer pudding, racy acidity and sinewy tannins. The best of the Momento reds.' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2024, 96/100

Momento Riebeekberg Grenache 2022

'Sourced from the classic schist soils of Riebeekberg, this is a more herbal expression of Grenache, with 30% whole clusters adding some perfume and structure. Plush, perfumed and intense, it has layers of goji berry and redcurrant, savoury tannins and a salty finish.' – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2024, 93/100

Momento Tinta Barocca 2022

'Grapes from the Helderberg plus two sites on the Paardeberg, all over 40 years old. The aromatics are unrestrained as so often is the case with Port varieties – red and black berries, flowers, fynbos, a hint of mint, earth and spice. The palate, meanwhile, shows good depth of fruit, bright acidity and firm tannins. Layers of flavour. Alc: 13.18%.' – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 93/100

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