Testalonga, Baby Bandito ‘Stay Brave’ Skin Contact Chenin Blanc 2023

producer: Testalonga region: Western Cape country: ZAF grape variety: chenin blanc production notes: woman owner/winemaker Craig and Carla Hawkins started their label, Testalonga, in Swartland in 2008, right around the time when the region was beginning to prove itself. Before founding Testalonga, Craig was the head winemaker at Lammershoek and learned under some of the greats: Eben Sadie, Stephane Ogier, Remy Pedreno (Roc d’Anglande), Dorli Muhr in Austria, Dirk Niepoort in Portugal, and Tom Lubbe (Domaine Matassa). Now at Testalonga, Craig focuses on making single-vineyard, varietal wines and has received acclaim for their orange wines particularly.  This single vineyard, skin contact chenin blanc has a surprisingly clean and acid driven palate. Barrelled in neutral oak for structure and finishes with green herbs.