Testalonga El Bandito ‘Queen of Spades’ Tinta Amarela 2025
Secure your bottle of the exceptionally rare Testalonga El Bandito ‘Queen of Spades’ Tinta Amarela 2025. Visionary Swartland winemaker Craig Hawkins crafts this captivating natural red wine in tiny quantities each year.
The standout 2025 vintage highlights a growing season defined by incredible freshness, precise structural balance, and fantastic longevity. Several consecutive seasons of plentiful winter rainfall fully rejuvenated the vines. This deep moisture allowed the grapes to maintain a beautiful natural acidity and lower pH levels. Hawkins matured the wine for 18 months in seasoned French oak barrels to provide spectacular polish. This extended aging enhances the structural complexity beautifully without losing the variety’s trademark freshness and effortless drinkability.
Tasting Notes & Profile
This brilliant Swartland red opens with an incredibly expressive, perfumed nose. Expect elegant aromas of fresh wildflowers, wild red berries, aromatic fynbos, and a subtle touch of sweet spice. On the palate, the wine delivers a wonderfully light, energetic, and fresh experience. Noticeably crunchy tannins provide a finely judged structure that frames the vibrant fruit beautifully. The persistent finish ends completely bone-dry without ever feeling harsh or severe.