Critics Ratings

‘Smoky nose, a touch of rubber – as with all Alex Milner’s Cinsaults, decant for several hours beforehand. Glowing cherry roundness and sweetness, a ripeness and gentle plumpness which can’t be found on his Cinsaults from Swartland, Simonsberg or Stellenbosch. Which is not to say that this is voluptuous by South African standards. It has a floating burgundian elegance – in fact so Pinot Noir-like that I’d love to throw this into a blind tasting. The almost invisible tannins define the fruit but are so much part of it that it’s as if they’ve been etched into it with a diamond tip. The Darling Cinsault, more than the others, has a seam of graphite steeliness, a frisson of petrichor minerality that pulls the wine in tight towards its centre and in to a long determined focus right to the end. Stunning.’ – Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Apr 2019)

‘The 2017 Darling Cinsault is light ruby in color and has a defined nose with fresh red tart fruit and soft red floral spice that is created by a skillful hand. Spiced strawberries and red potpourri with a soft minerality linger on the palate. The finish has a laser precision to it with a fresh and lively edge. Go out and find some of this. It's a more feminine style of Cinsault and shows great focus and precision. This is a really well-made wine, and I look forward to witnessing the evolution of the Cinsault bottlings of this range.’ – Anthony Mueller, Wine Advocate, 91+/100 (Oct 2019)

‘From a 1978 vineyard planted on granite. Red and black fruit plus some fynbos on the nose. Relatively deep and rich with tangy acidity and gently grippy tannins. Has a vinosity that its counterparts don’t have. Alcohol: 13.5%.’ - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 91/100 (Mar 2019)

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