Testalonga - El Bandito 'Monkey Gone to Heaven' Mourvedre 2017

Testalonga - El Bandito 'Monkey Gone to Heaven' Mourvedre 2017

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Description

"Incredibly rich in fruit on the nose. It has a real intensity of aromatics from the get go with a range of black fruits and spices. A touch of black pepper and blackcurrants. The palate is, unsurprisingly, rich in fruit with a lot of fruit sweetness and body. Soft tannins but a decent structure of tannins and acidity which works so well to hold this wine together. More cassis and plums on the palate and finish. Excellent."

 

--------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--------

Mouvèdre/Monastrell

Mouvèdre is the third grape in the famous Rhone Red Blend; GSM, that is so often replicated across the globe - most notably in Australia (where it is also known as Mataro). Whilst it is usually seen as a blend with Grenache and Syrah in France, it is made as a stunning single varietal wine in Bandol in the south of France as well as a rosé wine. It goes by the name of Monastrell in Spain where it produces rich red wines in the regions of Yecla and Jumilla. 

 

--------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.