Darling, Coastal Region, South AfricaIn an era where many wineries try to be something to everyone, Natte Valleij focuses almost exclusively on cinsault. From their impressive line-up of single vineyard cinsaults, this is named for the Darling district from which it's sourced. A short drive from the ocean, Darling is nearly surrounded on all sides by the larger Swartland district. This bottling, from bush vines planted in 1978, shows exception definition, led by pure black raspberry, intriguing spice, and herbs. It’s quite concentrated, even at just 12% abv, but still lively with soft, rounded tannins and beautifully integrated acidity. A delicious, quaffable, food friendly wine that's best served slightly chilled. Highly recommended.Tasted: 05 January 2021Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$49.00
750ml
private wine shops
Producer: Natte ValleijDistributors: Sur Lie Grape: Cinsault
Darling, 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 1978 planted bush vines grow in a very isolated block in coastal-influenced Darling, on sloping decomposed granite. This low intervention, lighter, dusky-hued red was fermented in concrete egg. Perfumed wild raspberry, sapid plum, dried rosemary, green leaf, and scrubby herbs flood the sharper palate, lined with sarsaparilla and lifted with gentle acidity. Tannins are fine, guiding this to a pink peppercorn kissed finish. Drinking well now, with a slight chill.Tasted: 28 December 2020Tasted by: Prices:
BC
$49.00
750ml
private wine shops
Producer: Natte ValleijDistributors: Sur Lie Grape: Cinsault
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