Intellego The Sleeping Co-Pilot 2021 gets its name from the intern that worked during the first season of making this wine. When collecting the grapes his only job was to keep winemaker Jurgen awake with conversation, but 30 minutes into the drive Jurgen was the only one awake while his co-pilot was sleeping. Viognier grapes were harvested from vines planted in 2004. Whole bunch fermented for 14 days on the skins in open tanks. Aged in old 500-litre barrels for 10 months. Bottled at 11%. (Bottle size 750ml)

Nose: Peach, apricot, some floral perfume, dried herbs and a slight note of bee’s wax on the nose.

Palate: Dense fruit, bright acidity and tannins that are firm to the point of astringent.

Finish: Intensely savoury.

Intellego Wines owner and winemaker, Jurgen Gouws, is originally from the Eastern Cape but now calls the Swartland home. He has worked with some of that area’s most celebrated names, including Eben Sadie, Tom Lubbe and Craig Hawkins. Jurgen favours a natural approach; organic farming and minimal intervention (no yeast, acid, enzymes or fining; limited sulphur and filtration) in the cellar. He currently makes the wines at Annex Kloof on the Paardeberg.