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Testalonga

2024

‘Monkey Gone to Heaven’

Mourvèdre   |   Swartland - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

‘Monkey Gone to Heaven’ Mourvèdre comes from organically farmed bush vines planted in the 2001 on slightly more clay rich Koffieklip soils of the Abbotsdale region on the foot slopes of the Paardeberg. This 2.5 acre block is shared with winemaker Jurgen Gouws of Intellego, who farms the block. The 2024 vintage was a great one for this wine, and the soft tannins effortlessly pour through onto the palate. The label is a picture of Craig’s friend at Burning Man, and the name comes from the eponymous Pixie’s song (“for those of us old enough to remember it”). “There was a guy, an underwater guy who controlled the sea, got killed by ten million pounds of sludge from New York and New Jersey, this monkey’s gone to heaven…”

The grapes were hand harvested and placed into open tanks for spontaneous whole cluster fermentation. After 12 days, the wine was pressed off the skins and was sent to three 20-year-old 500L French barrels for full malo and aging. The wine was blended & bottled with a gentle filtration and sulfur addition. No fining.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Mourvèdre
  • Vineyard: Abbotsdale (Paardeberg)
  • Vine Age: 23-years-old
  • Soil Type: Decomposed granite
  • Viticulture: Practicing organic
  • Fermentation: Native — stainless-steel (100% whole bunch)
  • Skin Contact: 17 days
  • Aging: 12 months in 20-year-old 500L French barrels
  • Alcohol: 12.5%
  • pH: 3.5
  • Total Acidity: 5 g/L
  • Total SO2: 41 ppm
  • Total Production: 250 cases
  • UPC: 7070334429832
  • SRP: $39.99

Tasting Notes

A smooth, pure Mourvèdre without overt rusticity. Plum and wild strawberry meet subtle dried herbs. Soft tannins carry the palate, with quiet fruit concentration keeping it focused and lively.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

92

"Grapes from an Abbotsdale vineyard planted in 2001. 100% whole-bunch fermented. The nose shows lavender, fynbos, red and black berries plus a hint of earth. Medium bodied with pure fruit, zesty acidity and powdery tannins, the finish nicely dry."

- Christian Eedes
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Producer


Testalonga

Region


Swartland

Country


South Africa

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