2024 Testalonga El Bandito The Dark Side Syrah

The Dark Side offers a different perspective on Syrah. It moves away from the heavy, extracted styles often associated with the New World, focusing instead on texture, perfume and drinkability. It is a wine that proves Syrah grown on granite can be as detailed and delicate as Pinot Noir.

Sourced from a vineyard planted in 2001 on the decomposed granite slopes of the Paardeberg, this wine is shaped by its soils. Craig Hawkins uses 100% whole-bunch fermentation here. This technique is key; it preserves the freshness of the fruit while adding a layer of structural grip and aromatic spice. The winemaking is minimal, allowing the raw character of the site to come through clearly.

In the glass, it is lighter than you might expect, but the pale colour belies a juicy depth of flavour. It is crunchy and aromatic, offering notes of fresh red berries, rose petals and a distinct crack of white pepper. The palate is energetic, driven by zesty acidity and fine, granular tannins. It is an ethereal take on the variety, combining great fruit purity with a savoury, lingering finish.