Highlights: Kelvin Feku Grenache Noir 2022, WO Wellington, South Africa
Kelvin Feku is Alex Milner’s (of Natte Valleij) assistant winemaker, and this is the first release under his own label. Kelvin arrived to South Africa from Zimbabwe as a refugee, and quickly became captivated and inspired by winemaking. This dryland Grenache comes from Wellington’s malmesbury shale and glenrosa soils. The grapes were basket pressed and left undisturbed in foudre for 9 months. Pouring a diaphanous crimson hue, this lighter red charms with perfumed wild raspberry, crunchy cherry, smoked plum, tobacco, sapid branchiness, and fragrant roiboos tea which lingers long on the saline finish. The core is pure, acidity buoyant, and tannins whisper delicate, all welcoming drinking now, liberally (try with a slight chill). A winemaker to watch. 92/100
