Testalonga new releases

Craig Hawkins of Testalonga has, for the first time, staggered the release of his entry-level “Baby Bandito” wines (these released in November last year – see here) and his more premium “Bandito” wines. he aim, he says, is to draw renewed attention to the top-end wines, these getting more time on lees, adding texture without drying out the wines. “I’m looking to clean up the edges without over-manipulating,” he says. Combine this with the good rains in the lead-up to harvest 2025 and he feels that “things are coming together nicely”.

Mangaliza Hárslevelü 2025
Price: R405
Matured in a single older 300-litre barrel. The nose opens with floral perfume and ginger before notes of peach and apple. The palate is lip-smacking – concentrated fruit matched by piercing acidity, finishing saline. Impressive fruit weight and a silky texture despite an alcohol of just 11.5%. Focused and immensely drinkable.

CE’s rating: 94 | Distinctive

Lords of Dogtown Chenin Blanc 2025
Price: R405
From a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1981. Peach and apricot plus hints of fynbos, ginger and some leesy character. Dense fruit and ripping acidity before an uncompromisingly dry finish. Still manages to be smooth flowing, well balanced. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 94 | Serious

Lekker Chenin Blanc 2025
Price: R1,015 (magnum)
The nose shows pear, peach and apple. The palate is open and immediately accessible, with fruit-forward presence rather than opulence, its acidity well integrated. A gently savoury, lightly grippy finish adds shape and interest. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 92 | Delicious

Cortez Chenin Blanc 2025
Price: R405
From a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1972. Sixty percent matured in old 500-litre barrels, with the remainder in stainless steel before a further nine months in foudre. The nose is strikingly perfumed, with potpourri, dried herbs, pear, peach and green apple. The palate shows excellent fruit concentration, its acidity finely integrated, before a pithy finish. Poised and intensely flavoured, this is a wine of very clean lines that goes on and on. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 98 | Serious

Daisy’s Pond Grenache Blanc 2023
Price: R770
From own vineyards planted in 2018. Matured for 24 months in old oak. A hint of flinty reduction before flowers, herbs, lime, peach and pear. The palate is linear, fresh and pithy, with excellent fruit definition and plenty of energy without tipping into austerity. Harmonious, in a word. Alc: 12%.

CE’s rating: 96 | Distinctive

Skin Chenin Blanc 2025
Price: R405
Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1972. 14 days of skin maceration. Hugely complex on nose and palate. Aromatics of honeysuckle, fynbos and ginger before peach and apricot and a hint of beeswax. Excellent concentration, layers of flavour, starting creamy and ending dry and savoury. Alc: 11.5%.

CE’s rating: 97 | Serious

Queen of Spades Tinta Amarella 2025
Price: R405
Grapes from an Abbotsdale vineyard planted in 1999 on granite. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Extremely fragrant with notes of flowers, fynbos, red berries and subtle spice. Light and fresh with crunchy tannins, the finish dry but not severe. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 92 | Delicious

Monkey Gone to Heaven Mourvèdre 2025
Price: R405
Grapes from an Abbotsdale vineyard planted in 2001. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Red and black berries, wilted rose, fynbos and a hint of pepper. The palate delivers good fruit expression with snappy acidity and neatly grippy tannins, firm but not coarse, the finish long and dry. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 93 | Distinctive

The Dark Side Syrah 2025
Price: R405
From a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 2001. 100% whole-bunch fermented. The aromatics are complex and nuanced, showing cured meat, white pepper, violets, red berries and fynbos. The palate delivers pure fruit with fresh acidity and ultra-fine, powdery tannins. Light-bodied yet detailed and long, offering excellent refreshment without ever tipping into simplicity. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 95 | Distinctive

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