2024 McFarlane Wines Capitoline Wolf Red

Alexandra McFarlane, winemaker and proprietor of McFarlane Wines, is incredibly passionate about South African ‘heritage’ varietals (working exclusively with Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cinsault and Semillon) and the role that they have played in sculpting the evolution of the SA wine industry.

She handles the grapes as gently as possible in the winery in order to produce wines that are elegant, honest and undeniably moreish. She picks with freshness in mind, resulting in wines that are comparatively low abv, but maintains complexity through phenolic ripeness and extended lees contact.

The grapes (100% Cinsault) were sourced from multiple areas – Breedekloof, Darling, and Stellenbosch. Hand picking and sorting preceded whole bunch crushing; using the traditional foot stomping method. Gentle extraction, using punch downs, was utilised during fermentation. After fermentation, the wine was pressed and racked to big, old, French barrels for 9 months.

There are oodles of bright red fruit on the nose followed by some spice coming from the whole bunch fermentation. The palate displays notes of raspberry and pink Sparkles sweets complimented by bright zippy acidity and a lingering fruity finish.