2022 Thistle & Weed Nastergal

This wine's named after 'nastergal' - black nightshade - a stubborn little weed with dark, juicy berries that turns up in local jams and backyard gardens across the Cape. Seems a fitting name for this dark, full-fruited blend of Tempranillo, Alicante Bouschet, and a handful of Portuguese varieties like Touriga Nacional and Souzão.

Made by Thistle & Weed founders Stephanie Wild and Etienne Terblanche, it’s a wine that leans into the wild side of the Western Cape. Rich in colour and flavour, it sees a short stint in older barrels - enough to give it shape, not swagger. Think black plum, clove, a bit of scrubby bush spice, and that dusty cocoa edge you often find in Touriga-based reds.

The texture’s plush but not overdone, tannins tucked neatly under ripe fruit. It’s generous, but there’s tension too - a wine built for the table, not the trophy shelf. No ego, just proper flavour and a whole lot of character.

94 points
"Clove & dark chocolate, some scrub, fitting the black plum concentration perfectly... plush texture, fruit coats the tannins."
- [Unknown Critic] ([Unknown Publication])