Testalonga El Bandito - The Dark Side

Grape: Shiraz

Origin: Swartland, South Africa

Credentials: Organic. Biodynamic. Low intervention

Style: Red 

DARK FRUIT / NUTMEG / PEPPER 

Don’t let the name fool you, this is not the big, jammy, heavy-handed Syrah you might be expecting. Craig Hawkins takes grapes from an old granite-grown vineyard on the Paardeberg, ferments the lot as whole bunches & then largely gets out of the way. What’s in the glass is paler and lighter on its feet than the label suggests, packed with berries, Vanilla & a crack of white pepper. Pop it in the fridge for 20 minutes before serving.

Pairs with: Roast lamb or Roasted mushrooms on toast with thyme