A naturally fermented old bush vine brew . ‘Tea Leaf’ hails from the uniqueness of the vineyards where the grapes from these wines grow; amongst South Africa’s native rooibos (red tea) plants that grow wild amongst vines, protected from removal and yet to be successfully cultivated anywhere else in the world.
Production
Old Vine Project certified blocks of Paarl Chenin planted in 1977, Franschhoek Crouchen Blanc planted in 1976 and Piekenierskloof Palomino planted in 1977 make up this bush vine brew. In all these blocks the indigenous rooibos tea plant grows wild. Grapes are harvested in the early hours and then a further selection is made by hand at the winery to select the best fruit. The wine is naturally fermented for 9 months in 600 litre French oak barrels. Finally, the wine is coarse filtered and bottled.
The Tea Leaf, Western Cape 2023 (6 bottles case)
Vivino ratings
Tasting notes
On the nose there are notes of ripe peach, salted butter and macadamia. The palate combines firm, high-key fruit with a gentle, sandy texture true to the source vineyards’ soil leading to a savoury, lightly honeyed finish. This is a deeply satisfying wine made from a blend of high quality bush vine fruit.
Food match
Simply cooked fish dishes, scallops, salt & pepper squid or fishcakes, light seafood pasta, risotto, rich salads and sushi.
Info
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ABV
13.5%
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CASE/BOTTLE SIZE
6 x 75cl
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REGION/COUNTRY
WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
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GRAPE
CHENIN BLANC 44%, CROUCHEN BLANC 42%, PALOMINO 14%
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FEATURES
VEGETARIAN, VEGAN
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CLOSURE
CORK
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WINEMAKER
RYNO BOOYSEN & JD ROSSOUW
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APPELLATION
WESTERN CAPE
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ALLERGEN INFO
CONTAINS SULPHITES AND NO OTHER ALLERGENS
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Meet the producer
What’s this then? SKU is a casual band of happy ferments. A circus tent of the Cape’s stranger grapes and blends.
We will champion the unfashionable, experiment with the known and express the found before it gets lost. Mistakes are likely, fun certain.
Welcome to Strange Kompanjie, a Kultivar Club for the Underdog.