Testalonga - El Bandito 'The Dark Side' Syrah 2021

Testalonga - El Bandito 'The Dark Side' Syrah 2021

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Description

"Just another excellent wine from Testalonga - the king of Natural Wines from South Africa. This Syrah is 100% whole-bunch fermented which is behind the lightness of this wine, as in it is perhaps a tad lighter and more approachable than some other Syrahs. It is also fresher and brighter in fruit character in its youth. I particularly enjoy the floral aspect of this wine, with a range of lavender, black rose, and black plums. There is soft tannins and decent acidity. Once again, far too easy to drink - whatever the weather!"

 

--------THE PRODUCER--------

Testalonga

Testalonga is headed by Craig Hawkins, South Africa’s nominated “Natural Wine King”. He, and his wife Carla, are producing some of the more innovative wines in the country at the moment sourcing most of their grapes from farmers with old vine plots scattered across Paardeberg Swartland. Thanks to their loyal growers they are able to get access to incredibly ripe grapes such as Grenache, Chenin Blanc, Muscat, Carignan and Harslevelu.

 

--------THE GRAPE--------

Syrah/Shiraz

Both Syrah or Shiraz is the name given to this grape varietal depending on where you are in the world. In France, particularly in the Rhone Valley, it goes by the name of Syrah and it makes the floral reds of Hermitage, Cornas, St Joseph and Cote Rôtie. Whereas in Australia, particularly in the Barossa Valley, it is Shiraz and it produces bolder, spicier and oaky red wines.

 

--------THE REGION--------

Swartland

Traditionally a grain-producing area, in summer the Swartland district is marked by green pockets of vineyards clambering up the foothills of the mountains (Piketberg, Porterville, Riebeek and Perdeberg) and along the banks of the Berg River. In the past, the region was planted mainly to bushvines but trellising is increasingly being adopted due to advances in management strategies and quality considerations.

The Swartland literally translated means ‘the black land’ and the area takes its name from the now endangered indigenous renosterbos (rhino bush) which once turned the landscape a dark colour at certain times of the year. The district was traditionally a source of robust, full-bodied red wines and high quality, fortified wines. The Swartland Independent Producers (SIP) is a coming together of a group of like-minded producers working to express a true sense of place in the wines of the Swartland. 

In recent times, some exciting award-winning wines have emerged, both red and white, and the area continues to produce top port-style wines. Increasing percentages of Pinotage, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are being grown here, as well as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. It has five designated wards:  Malmesbury, Paardeberg, Paardeberg-South, Riebeekberg and Riebeeksrivier. The district of Swartland borders Piketberg to the north, which is not dissimilar in both geography and climate.