Wildeberg Wines, Western Cape (South Africa) 2021

 Hard to ignore this wine with its colorful tea label.  But the story has it that indigenous tea plants remain within the old vineyards.  Made from 79% Chenin, 14% Palomino and 7% Grenache Blanc, this 2021 was wild yeast fermented in a combination of old large wooden barrels and stainless tanks.  Some lots ferment slowly for close to 10 months and there is some skin contact time as evidenced by the medium yellow color.  Ripe apples and melons define the aroma and the wine is quite big bodied and plush on the palate.  Light lemon and some minerality appear in the rich aftertaste.  The finish is long and nicely rounded, and the wine was a great companion to bacon-wrapped shrimp.