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Testalonga, El Bandito Monkey Gone to Heaven (Mourvedre), 2021

Red Wine from South Africa, South Africa
by Testalonga
$45.99
Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout.
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Craig Hawkins’ Testalonga is at the forefront of South Africa’s natural wine scene, and Monkey Gone to Heaven is his boundary-pushing take on Mourvèdre. Sourced from dry-farmed Swartland vineyards, this wine is made with minimal intervention—whole-cluster fermentation, no fining or filtration, and just a tiny touch of sulfur at bottling. The result? A Mourvèdre that’s fresher, more lifted, and wildly drinkable.

Dark plum, black cherry, and wild blueberry burst from the glass, backed by cracked pepper, dried herbs, and a touch of earthy funk. The tannins are present but soft, the acidity keeps it lifted, and there’s a subtle saline quality that makes each sip even more intriguing. Best served slightly chilled, it’s a perfect match for grilled meats, charcuterie, or just good conversation. Mourvèdre, but not as you know it.

Shipping

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More about Testalonga

Craig and Carla Hawkins didn't just make natural wine in Swartland—they changed what the South African government recognizes. Their 2008 skin-macerated Chenin was allegedly the first orange wine produced in the country, and they've spent fifteen years proving that minimal intervention and wild fermentation yield complexity, not chaos. Four vineyard ranges, Mediterranean grapes on granite and sandstone, nothing added but respect for the fruit.

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Mourvedre

  • Vintage

    2021

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Traditional

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Full Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

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Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

grilled beef steaks, herb-marinated lamb, roasted game birds, aged hard cheeses

Tasting Profile

Dark plum and blackberry with peppery spice and herbal notes, full-bodied with velvety tannins and a long, complex finish.