Testalonga I Wish I Was A Ninja Pet Nat 2020

Story

I Wish I Was A Ninja Pet Nat is from one of South Africa’s most interesting and bravest wineries. The winemaker – Craig Hawkins has a dedicated winery with plenty of space and a steady supply of excellent grapes from well-farmed vineyards. After years of experimentation, he has developed a style that he is comfortable with, and with that he makes around 40,000 bottles. The I Wish I was a Ninja Pet Nat is from a tiny block close to Lammershoek (the owner doesn’t farm it, so he allows Craig to look after the vines), planted in 1994. This vineyard has become very important for Craig as it provides grapes with consistently low pHs which is crucial for this Cuvee. The Colombard grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in stainless steel at a low temperature. The juice was then racked six times during fermentation to remove the sediment. It was bottled under a crown cap with sugar of 58g/l where it was left to finish fermentation and build up a natural pressure of carbon dioxide. After 10 months the bottles were riddled and disgorged and topped with the same wine (from other decanted bottles) and crown-capped again. No SO2 was added to the wine and neither was any settling or fining agent used. The result is a bristling brilliant pet nat with an acidity of 8.9 and a residual of 23 g/l. It is aromatic and laser-bright, like lemonade for grown-ups. A fresh, bright pet nat with a taste reminiscent of the freshest apples and peaches. Off-dry and far too smashable, it’s “like lemonade for grown-ups” and insanely tasty – from one of South Africa’s most exciting winemakers. Pair with: Almost anything! Perfect for your pool-side party in South Africa and the one day of summer in the UK. (One day!!)

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