Kristoffer Roupé

9.0

Pretty nice; not heavy. — 12 days ago

Rita Ernst

9.1

Dry Farm Wine, fresh tart berry flavors,
Red blend of Mourvèdre, cinsaut, Shiraz, Grenache — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This wine comes from their young vines according to Sophia Hawkins who does their sales & marketing. She also mentioned this vineyards’s soil structure is also the oldest recorded on the planet. Please note, “Recorded”.

The nose shows, freshness, opulence & has sex appeal. Fruits are; ripe, lush, slightly candied and quite floral. Mixed red & dark berries. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, dark cherries and ripe juice strawberries. Red fruit liqueur & cola, vanilla, sweet, medium intensity, dark spice, tobacco with ash, dark, rich soils, soft alluvial soil with bright, red, dark, blue & violet florals.

The body is round, full lush and elegant. The firm, meaty, dark, tarry, chewy tannins. For vines so young, the fruit is amazingly ripe & delicious. The florals are straight up beautiful. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, dark cherries and ripe juice strawberries. Red fruit liqueur & cola, vanilla, sweet, medium intensity, dark spice, herbaceous notes, tobacco with ash, dark, rich soils, soft alluvial soil, dark crushed rocks, dark penetrating minerals with bright, red, dark, blue & violet florals. The acidity is near perfect. The long finish starts; ripe, juicy and on the long set brings the dry stone minerals. While this drinks beautifully now, wait for even better things in five years. 92 now with a chance of a couple more points.

I really enjoyed their wines quite a lot. Both the noses and palates.

Photos of; their vineyard during harvest, the granite soil structure of their vineyard, Our host, Sophia Hawkins and their Cellar Door facilities. — 7 years ago

Samvel Simonyants

9.2

13/IV/2018
Красивый комплексный аромат: вишня, красная слива, пион, сухая земля, халва, аккуратные специи (чёрный перец горошком, гвоздика). В развитии лавр и хвоя. Легкое тело, сочный собраный вкус с доминантой красных ягод, вишни, сушеных трав и цветочной пыльцы, извести. Изящная структура с высокой ягодной кислотностью и чуть суховатыми мелкозернистыми танинами. Отлично. 17,5/20

(King Of Grapes от Testalonga – это удивительно тонкий гренаш из ЮАР.

Craig Hawkins, поработав в подростковом возрасте на винограднике брата, влюбился в вино и решил связать свою жизнь с виноделием. До покупки собственного участка в Свартленде, Крейг несколько лет провел на винодельнях в Южной Африке и Европе, в том числе успел поработать в легендарном Domaine Matassa, владельца которого он называет своим главным учителем [God save the Tom Lubbe].

Крейг и его жена Карла настоящие экспериментаторы, постоянно оттачивающие свое мастерство. У них нет устоявшейся линейки вин, каждый новый винтаж отличается от предыдущего, но сохраняется бескомпромиссный подход: максимум 11-12 градусов алкоголя, частый skin contact для белых вин, натуральные дрожжи, отказ от фильтрации, минимизация использования серы и, естественно, биодинамическое виноградарство. Ребята делают вина, которые в первую очередь нравятся им самим.

Всё, что мне довелось попробовать от Testalonga, было исключительно элегантно, точно и ярко. Это те редкие вина, которые одновременно сочетают в себе легкость и комплексность: их можно пить не задумываясь, или бесконечно долго раскладывать на составляющие.

Трагедия для умников, утверждающих, что в Новом Свете вина нет.) — 8 years ago

Jason Dunn

9.3

Great full red, a little sweeter than expected. — 10 years ago

Rita Ernst

9.6

Mielle Orange — 2 years ago

Rita Ernst

9.9

Dry Farm Wine — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The nose shows ripe, powerful; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries & haunting blueberries. Sweet vanillin, black berry cola/licorice, granitic soils, black fruit tea, sweet, dark, rich soils, herbaceous notes, leathery notes, just a touch of graphite with bright, dark, red, blue, purple and violet florals.

The body is full with meaty, dark, sticky tannins. The fruits are ripe with amazing florals. Dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries & haunting blueberries. Sweet vanillin, black berry cola/licorice, dark spices, granitic soils, black fruit tea, sweet, dark, rich soils, herbaceous notes, leathery notes, just a touch of graphite with bright, dark, red, blue, purple and violet florals. The acidity again is perfect. The finish is balanced, elegant, beautiful, delicious, floral evolving into palate heating spice.

This one was exceptional! For around $65-$70, I would drink this over a number of similarly or more expensive Cabernets from more well know Cabernet regions.

Photos of; their vineyard during harvest, the granite soil structure of their vineyard, Our host, Sophia Hawkins and their Cellar Door facilities. — 7 years ago

Kevin

9.0

Dark plumy color-aromas of earth, pomegranate, black pepper, herb-medium strength of aromas-a little pudding-good flavors nice and spicy with juicy entry medium tannin carries well Thru mid pallet. Small bitterness late but overall nice wine. Good density — 7 years ago

Dan Ponce

9.5

Amazingly crisp white wine brought over by Mark, Sara, Hawkins & Collins. Very refreshing. — 9 years ago

M Weil

9.0

Really enjoyed this. Would have again — 9 years ago

Amanda Lee

8.9

With the Hawkins post Heather’s 30th — 10 years ago

Jake Hajer

8.9

Weird but good. Mineral. — 3 years ago

Rita Ernst

10

Dry Farm Wine — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose reveals; sweet vanillin, ripe, blackberries, dark cherries, floral blueberries, creamy, blackberries & black plum skin. Black licorice notes, granitic soils, light tobacco leaf, dry stone, light fresh herb notes, dry brush, soft leather with fresh red/blue and violet flowers.

The entry is ripe and juicy and evolves into big, dry, powdery tannins with deep, dark spice that sets on the palate with heat. Ripe, blackberries, dark cherries, floral blueberries, creamy, blackberries, black & plum skin. Black licorice notes, vanillin, granitic soils, light tobacco leaf, dry stone, light fresh herb notes, dry brush, soft leather with fresh red/blue and violet flowers. The acidity is like rainfall. The elegant, ripe, lush, polished, well balanced finish is delicious. Very luxurious mouthfeel.

Photos of; their vineyard during harvest, the granite soil structure of their vineyard, Our host, Sophia Hawkins and their Cellar Door facilities. — 7 years ago

Kevin

9.2

Dark color-hay, oats and sweet artificial blueberry aromas. Really lovely aromas. Sweet dough, bread pudding, stones, vanilla tobacco. Nice flavors, towards more sweet fruit then a pop of small gamey flavors. Flavors come and go with light grip refreshing, not sweet nor dried. Very nice wine 92 points — 7 years ago

James Forsyth

9.1

Black fruit and somewhat earthy. The tannins have softened over time but retain a good grip. This wine was just about right to enjoy now. Feels much more pedigreed than its modest price point would suggest. (Artwork by William Hawkins, one of the reference point vernacular artists). — 8 years ago

with Cara

Michael Chelus

8.9

Cherry, raspberry, vanilla, rhubarb and oak. Good structure and moderate tannins. — 9 years ago

Jonathan Hassell

9.0

Nancy Hawkins memorial dinner bull Griffis — 9 years ago

Andrew Willingham

8.9

Spicy, fruity, Gamay noir. Another great food wine, paired well even with our light lyonnaise salad. — 10 years ago