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90POINTS
16½/20
Testalonga Stay Brave 2023
Swartland, Coastal Region, South AfricaOne of the stars of South Africa's New Wave wine renaissance, Testalonga is Craig and Carla Hawkins' personal project, dedicated to experimental wines and rescued grapes, often from old vineyards. They were the first of the Swartland Revolution collective to start their own vineyard project, back in 2015, when they moved to a farm in the northern reaches of the Swartland, nestled into the Olifantsberg mountain, called Banditskloof. With 10 days maceration, this Chenin is the introduction to Testalonga’s skin contact wines. Sourced from koffieklip over granite soils outside of Paardeberg, this deeper golden hued wine was destemmed and native fermented on skins for 2 weeks in 1500L vats before being pressed off into a 3300L and 1500L foudre. A wee amount of SO2 was added before bottling. Wild melon, apricot skin, perfumed white grapefruit, crunchy Asian pear skips along a slight 11.5% palate, finishing with a tangerine twist. A new view of chenin for many.Tasted: 30 October 2024Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml | private wine stores |
Juice Imports
The Living Vine
Grape: Chenin BlancCSPC: 104062
