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90POINTS
16½/20
Natte Valleij Darling Cinsault 2020
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 isolated, 1978 planted bush vines grow in a very isolated block in coastal-influenced Darling, on sloping Malmsebury shales. After a day's maceration, this is native fermented over 2 weeks, with 15% whole clusters. It is then left undisturbed in a 2500L old oak foudre for 11 months. Dusky wild plum, strawberry, morello cherry fill a supple palate, lit with tart cranberry acidity, and housed with fine, long, tea leaf tannins through the lingering saline and smoked stone finish. Edgy, yet relaxed, this is a very smart wine. Enjoy with a slight chill.Tasted: 15 August 2022Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml | private wine shops |
Grape: Cinsault
