“Alex Milner's Cinsault Darling has always been my darling Cinsault.” - Tamlyn Currin, 18 points

“Alex Milner knows a thing or two about Cinsault, which has earned him the name “The Cinsault Whisperer” for championing the grape and making wines with amazing personality and expression from multiple regions within the Western Cape.” - The Wine Advocate

Alexander Milner has quickly established himself as The Cape's go-to guy for Cinsault. He calls it "the poor man's Pinot Noir", not only because it has a similar ethereal lightness, but also because it is so sensitive to the site on which the vines grow and he has spent his career pedalling around The Cape on his bicycle looking for little plots brimming with potential. He produces 4 separate expressions from Paarl, Darling, Stellenbosch and Swartland. This is our favourite, the Darling Cinsault, from the eponymous ward that lies between Swartland and the Ocean. It's typically pale in colour and has Pinot-like aromas of earthy strawberries and rose petals and wild cherry that continue on to the free-wheeling, red berry palate whose featherweight tannins apply the brakes just firmly enough to stop you gulping it down in one. Just. 12.5% alc. Unfined and unfiltered. Drink now-2028.

Press reviews:

JancisRobinson.com: "It smells of iron, kudu biltong, rain-pelted jacaranda blossom, hot tarmac roads after a storm. Alex Milner's Cinsault Darling has always been my darling Cinsault, and nothing changes with this latest vintage. It's a mouth-watering soul gong of a wine that always tastes a little bit of tears, grief, dust and blood. It's not an easy wine. It has a little bit of Plath in it. The tannins curl through the cracks; cumin and cashmere. It tastes like strong black tea, blood orange studded with cloves, jasmine. It tastes a little bit defiant. Good Value. (TC). 12.5% alc. Drink 2024-2028." 18 points

Decanter: “'This is the most isolated vineyard we work with,' says Alex Milner of the 45-year-old bush vines surrounded by wheat fields in this single vineyard just 16km from the Atlantic. Cinsault's characteristic boudoir perfume of roses and jasmine alongside earthier beach fynbos. Grapes (including 15% whole clusters) are basket-pressed and aged in old oak for 11 months, allowing the red plum, raspberry and cherries flavours to glow. Nervy energy, a chew of tannins and a deep salt tang at its core.” 95 points

Greg Sherwood MW (previous vintage): “This Darling Old Vine 2021 Cinsault is really something to behold. If ever there was a wine that proved that Cinsault could be world-class, then this is it. In the glass, the wine shows an opaque red plum colour and has a hedonistically high-toned perfumed aromatics of freshly picked rose petals and sweet lilacs before a complex melange of crunchy red orchard fruits seduces the senses. Wonderfully fresh and vibrant, the soft fleshy palate reveals potent notes red cherry, raspberry and strawberry pastille fruits before the classic Darling hallmark Turkish delight nuances come to the fore. Delicately mineral with a succulent intensity and tangy sweet and sour acidity, this 2021 Darling Cinsault is definitely ‘hall of fame’ quality with focus, depth and precision. Drink on release to enjoy its rose petal floral freshness or cellar for 6 to 8+ years to allow the old vine fruit to show its true regal potential. They don’t come much better than this!” 97+ points

Decanter (previous vintage): “Super-aromatic and enticing, like walking through a scented garden: violets, black roses and night lilies abound. Incense and smoke wreathe through intense black cherries and plums, then layer onto the palate, seeping into velvety tannins, and soaking in redcurrants, ripe raspberries and tomato essence. Finishing red-fruited and plucky, with tangy acidity that refreshes and urges you to go back and finish the bottle. This hails from a vineyard on a lonely hill, no other vines in sight. Planted around 1978 on Malmesbury formation rock with significantly decomposed granite, the wine feels as individual as its origins. 12.5% alc. Drink now-2032.” 98 points

Customer reviews:

”Absolutely delicious. Had a bottle last night. Thank you!” - Mr. P.J.

”Do you have anyone more of the Cinsault? It’s so good!” - Mr. J. L. (previous vintage)