A Swartland rosé from Intellego blending Syrah and Cinsault, made with 3 days of skin contact before ageing 5 months in old barrels then 6 weeks in stainless steel — luscious, red-fruit driven, and deceptively light on its feet given its depth of flavour.
Tasting Notes
Luscious and red-fruit forward with noticeable acidity that keeps everything fresh. The 3-day skin contact gives it more colour and weight than a classic pale rosé, sitting between rosé and light red in style. Cinsault brings the perfume, Syrah the structure, old barrels the subtle texture. In Intellego's own words: the moustache sits between the beard (red) and the clean skin (rosé).
Quick Facts
- Grapes: Syrah, Cinsault
- Origin: South Africa, Swartland (decomposed granite, dry-farmed)
- Style: Dry natural rosé / light red, skin contact, unfiltered, unfined
- Winemaking: 3-day skin contact, 5 months in small old barrels, racked to stainless steel for 6 weeks before bottling, indigenous yeast, spontaneous malolactic, no fining or filtration
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
Food Pairing
Grilled fish, cheese, white meats, and light salads. Also excellent alongside spiced food and charcuterie.
Serving
Serve at 10-12°C. Slightly chilled brings out the freshness.
About the Producer
Intellego is the natural wine project of Jurgen Gouws, based in the Swartland of South Africa. Farming dry on decomposed granite soils without irrigation, Gouws works with Chenin Blanc, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvedre to produce wines of exceptional freshness and mineral character that have made Intellego one of the most exciting names in South African natural wine.
