TESTALONGA El Bandito ‘The Dark Side’ Syrah 2025

Name: TESTALONGA El Bandito 'The Dark Side' Syrah 2025
SKU: w2182
Price: 405.00 ZAR
Availability: InStock

R405.00

Craig’s most complete expression of Syrah to date. Inspired by Côte-Rôtie and built around whole-bunch fermentation, it combines perfume, spice and savoury complexity with impressive balance and refinement.

‘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” WINEMAG.CO.ZA

In stock

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The wines of TESTALONGA defy convention in a lot of ways. Craig has never been accused of being “a follower” and these wines represent the avant-garde of South African wine. The fruit is farmed by Craig and his team using organic and biodynamic methods. Craig is proud of making natural wines, thus early picking, a lack of additions (minute amounts of SO2 are infrequently used) with no fining or filtration are all hallmarks of his approach. They have bought a farm in the Piketberg area in northern Swartland, and have started to plant vines as of 2018.