KYSELA PERE ET FILS, LTD.

"Unchallenged as the Cape's best Viognier, this the latest in a long run of superb Lismore releases. Avoiding the blowsiness that is the variety's weaknesses, it displays a medley of quince, peach and passion fruit, with a dab of cream, ample concentration and a refreshing finish. Especially praiseworthy in a very tricky vintage in Greyton. 2025-31"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2024 Special Report), 96 pts

"The 2023 Viognier Estate Reserve was oxidatively handled aged for 11 months on the lees in 500-liter barrels. Allowing it to open over five minutes, this has a gorgeous bouquet with yellow plum, egg whites, white linen and nectarine, gaining complexity all the time. The palate is well balanced with a bright entry. It’s slightly more citrus-driven than the previous vintage, with real tension and pithiness toward the complex and persistent finish. The 2023 is an outstanding expression of this fickle grape variety."

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (), 95 pts

"The Lismore 2023 Greyton Estate Reserve Viognier shows a thick and glossy character on the mid-palate with opulent aromas of cream custard and butter croissant. I also get a floral note that recalls fragrant yellow rose. The wine has a medium-plus body, leaning toward full-bodied. Oak nuances figure more prominently here, and indeed, the wine ages in 225- and 300-liter barrels for 11 months, with 20% new oak. This block of Viognier is dry farmed on decomposed shale. The fruit shows amber highlights on the skins when it is ready for harvest. - Mocica LERNER"

- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (June 6th 2025), 93 pts

"Hands down the best Viognier in the country, the 2022 Estate Reserve Viognier is instantly impressive in the glass. It seduces and captivates with a delicate floral nose that overflows with aromas of just-ripe stone fruits and sweet citrus. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shows considerable weight with agile, succulent acidity before displaying an appropriate level of phenolic bitterness to keep things food friendly and fresh. The wine concludes with an elongated, ever-evolving finish that has me returning for more. Just under 1,600 bottles were produced. If you're a Viognier lover, you must seek out this bottling.- Anthony Mueller"

- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (December 29th 2023), 97 pts

"Made with fruit from vines that mercifully survived the fire of December 2019, this is a wine that will put a smile on the face of anyone who loves the Lismore style. Comfortably the best Viognier in South Africa, it has jasmine and honeysuckle aromas and a palate of quince, pear and tangerine. Subtle, ethereal stuff that ought to frighten a few producers in Condrieu. 2023-28"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2022 Special Report), 96 pts

"The 2021 Viognier Estate Reserve comes from vines on grey white shale (new plantings from 2016 were destroyed in the wildfire), so there is just 1.8-hectares that "soldiered on". It has a backward nose with lime flower and light waxy scents. This feels very contained, then discrete menthol aromas surface. The palate is rounded in texture with dried apricot and
touches of yellow plum; the 2021 is packed full of flavour with a lightly spiced, lemongrass-tinged finish. Superb.- Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (September 2022), 94 pts

"A burst of nectarine, green almond and preserved lemon flavors are enlivened by buoyant acidity in this lively white, with hints of quinine, anise, milled white pepper and orchard blossom adding detail. This is lushly creamy on the palate, yet mouthwatering and finely balanced, underscored by a streak of salty minerality that drives the finish. Drink now through 2030. - A.N."

- Wine Spectator’s Insider (March 2023), 93 pts

"Reviewed in my 2019 and 2020 reports, but still on the market, this comes from a 0.3-hectare block that was planted 17 years ago and survived the fire last year. Rich, complex and concentrated, it has pear and apricot fruit, a hint of nectarine and a patina of vanilla and cinnamon spice. Has tightened up over the last year. 2020-23"
- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2020 Special Report), 95 pts

"The 2018 Viognier Estate Reserve has a slightly more reserved bouquet than I recall, yet still displays exquisite delineation. While less phenolic than other Viogniers, it has wonderful mineralité and fans out with brio on the sapid finish. This is a sophisticated expression of the grape variety. - Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (April 2021), 93 pts

"One of two Lismore estate Viogniers reviewed in my 2019 report, this comes from a 0.3-hectare block that was planted 13 years ago. Rich, complex and concentrated, it has pear and apricot fruit, a hint of nectarine and a patina of vanilla and cinnamon spice. 2019-23 Greyton (14%)"
- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2019 Special Report), 94 pts

Go to Lismore Reserve Viognier

"On the nose, the 2017 Estate Reserve Viognier is slightly subdued and not as floral as the Age of Grace Viognier, but still with peach and apple blossom aromas. The palate shows a fine and focused texture and has a balanced weight across the mid-palate. The finish reveals a precision and mineral tension wrapped up with a structural elegance that I typically find in Condrieu but finishes on the leaner side. I believe that this wine will get better with time, so hold onto it for a couple more years to allow it time to bloom. - Anthony Mueller"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 91+ pts

Go to Lismore Reserve Viognier