Testalonga, El Bandito Dark Side, Swartland

Solid nature wine.

A wine by Craig Hawkins of Lammershoek fame: it is 100% organically farmed Mourvèdre from a 1-hectare parcel in Paardeberg. Vinified using semi-carbonic maceration in open-top fermentors. After 9 days of macerating the whole bunches, the grapes are pressed and racked into three 500-liter French oak barrels where the wines finish spontaneous fermentation followed by MLF. The only SO2 the wine sees is during the racking process. Bottled unfined and with a light filtration. 12,5% alcohol. Tasted blind. Pale, translucent …

🏅 Rating 90/100 (4,0⭐) Clear medium intensity ruby. Concentrated aromatics, rose petals, hibiscus, red berries. White pepper with swirl. Light body, high acidity. Mineral light red. On the palate more dark berries, spices. More refined and structured over Baby Bandito. Shiraz from vines over 15 years old. Winemaker Craig Hawkins dispenses with any additives and technical and brings his wines into the bottle as pure natural wines. Natural wine - 8 months 500L barrel --- Read my wine writing at …