In the Swartland, where dry-farmed bush vines and a spirit of independence have reshaped South African wine over the past two decades, Testalonga has become something of a reference point. Craig Hawkins works with old vineyards, minimal intervention and a clear preference for wines that express both place and process without embellishment. There is a raw honesty here.
This wine is made from chenin blanc, fermented on the skins in open vessels with native yeasts. Extraction is gentle but deliberate, allowing structure to build over time. The wine is then aged without make-up — no additives, no unnecessary manipulation — before being bottled with minimal sulphur. The aim is not to push the style, but to let it settle into itself.
The wine was enjoyed at Tempo wine bar, Sandnes, Norway.
El Bandito Skin 2024 (Testalonga)
Deep golden hue with a slight amber tint. Aroma of dried orange peel, apricot skin and a gentle note of dried herbal tea. Textured and lightly grippy, with fine phenolics framing the fruit. There is a calmness to the wine — the elements feel well integrated, the acidity supportive, and the finish long, gently herbal and dry.
Price: Medium