Cinsault, 2021
The straight Cinsault is a great example of Donovan’s intuitive and adaptive approach to winemaking. A variety with some detractors in more traditional circles, his Cinsault shows that when picked early and extracted softly, it can be really delicious variety with enough substance to stand on its own. From two parcels, one in the Swartland and one in Darling, the Swartland component brings structure and Darling all the perfume (this site is shared with Duncan Savage for his “Follow the Line”). Whole bunch fermentation on the Darling and 50% on the Swartland, the 2021 maintains an understated fine fruit profile with lifted red fruits of red cherry and strawberry. Aged half in old barrels (Darling) and half in concrete (Swartland), bottled after around six months to maintain freshness.
critic reviews
Coming from a mix of Darling and Swartland fruit, the 2021 Cinsault begins with bright, crunchy red fruit aromas with a fresh and floral frame provided by semi-carbonic winemaking. It's medium-bodied, and the tannins are in check. It has a lively mouthfeel of crunchy cherries and dusty strawberries and beams with vibrant acidity and mineral tension before ending with a food-friendly and tannic edge.
From two vineyards in Swartland and Darling on clay-rich soils, the 2021 Cinsault includes 50% whole bunch aged in concrete. It has a clean and pure bouquet with red cherries and crushed strawberry, very perfumed with rose petals and a touch of loamy soil. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grip for a Cinsault; the 2021 has a keen line of acidity and is juicy towards the finish with a touch of pepper lingering on the aftertaste. This will be difficult to resist in its youth.