Mabalel is named after a poem by the legendary South African polymath Eugene Marais, which tells the story of a local chieftain’s daughter of the same name who was ambushed while fetching water from the Limpopo river by the crocodile, Lalele. The vineyard is planted on ‘Kaaimansgat’ farm – meaning Crocodile’s lair – and a river flows past the vineyard. The site is 700m high and surrounded by dramatic mountains, with peaks that are are often snow-capped in winter.

Latest release (2023)

A savoury and brooding vintage, the nose showing star anise, mushroom, soy and rose. Density of fruit on the palate from damson, redcurrant and plum, as well as an earthiness and depth from rhubarb, tomato leaf and molasses. The finish is dry with a lightly spicy grip.

Vinification

Fermented using only native yeasts and this year with all fruit destemmed. The total time in tank was 29 days with a 14 day post-fermentation maceration. The wine was then transferred to barrel (20% new) where it remained for 11 months before bottling.

Technical Analysis