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Natte Valleij Cinsault Simonsberg Paarl 2017
Simonsberg-Paarl, Paarl, 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. These bush vines were planted on decomposed granite in 1993, and face northwest in the protection of Simonsberg Mountain. They are the youngest in the collective, picked early and fermented with 10% stems, and aged on foudre. Lovely liquorice, licks of kirsch, dried violets, raspberry blossoms, whiffs of cured spiced meats and darts of pink pepper in an upfront and very present nose. Acidity is bright, and tannins lick to the sides, holding all the energy in. Little flush of warmth on the finish. Very charming and youthful. 800 bottles.Tasted: 08 January 2020Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml | private wine shops |
Grape: Cinsault
