quicksearch
Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Testalonga El Bandito Mangalizatext
91POINTS
16¾/20

Testalonga El Bandito Mangaliza 2017

Swartland, Coastal Region, South AfricaOne of the stars of South Africa's New Wave wine renaissance, Craig and Carla Hawkins' personal project, Testalonga, is dedicated to experimental wines and rescued grapes, often from old vineyards. All the labels are photos that Craig has taken (this one of a wee field mouse). El Bandito Mangaliza is a single vineyard dry farm hárslevelü, planted on decomposed granite in the Swartland in 1971. Craig fell in love with the grape while making wine for Dirk Niepoort’s project in Austria. After whole bunch pressing, this was native fermented in old French oak and bottled unfined, unfiltered with minuscule suphur. Pouring a light golden hue, dusty stones, wild meadow herbs preview a sleek palate, scented with green fig, prickly pear and quince blossoms. There's a slight grip to the palate, adding another level of interest to this already highly interesting wine.Tasted: 19 May 2019Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:
AB$35.00750mlAlberta
Producer: TestalongaDistributors: Sur Lie
Juice Imports
The Living Vine
Grape: Hárslevelü