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90POINTS
16½/20
Natte Valleij Stellenbosch Cinsault 2017
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaYoung winemaker Alex Milner suddenly became very cinsault-centric when a professor told him not to bother reading the cinsault chapter in his textbook because it would be worthless to him. Fast forward from that 2011 conversation to today, and The Natte Valleij Cinsault Collective. Alex set out to find forgotten patches of old dryland bush vine Cinsault across the Western Cape, expressing their individualities through low-interference winemaking. This is from old bush vines planted in 1974 in Helderberg Mountain’s sea-facing shadows and decomposed granite soils. This was destemmed into concrete egg, which is felt in the gently grippy texture throughout this bright, energetic wine. Sapid raspberry, plum, cracked mustard, meadow herbs is framed by shadow fine tannins and buoyed by lifted acidity, showcasing its 11.7 degrees alcohol. Very pretty; best taken with a light chill.Tasted: 06 December 2019Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml | private wine shops |
Grape: CinsaultCSPC: 218429UPC: 626990391715
