2021 The Fledge & Co. - Fortitude Vincimus Red Blend Calitzdorp Western Cape (750ml)

The Fledge & Co. is a small, self-described normal outfit run by Leon Coetzee and partner Margaux Nel, based in Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo region of South Africa. The pair spend much of their time coaxing character out of grapes from little-known, offbeat sites across the Cape, occasionally venturing into Swartland projects alongside their home base. Their approach favors honest, old-school winemaking over polish, built around a genuine love for unusual vineyards and forgotten varieties.

Fortitude Vincimus takes its name from the motto Fortitudine Vincimus, meaning by endurance we conquer, and reflects the ambition behind the wine: a cellar-worthy Portuguese varietal blend made only in truly exceptional vintages. The 2021 combines old-vine Touriga Nacional and Tinta Barroca sourced from rare Cape parcels spread across Stellenbosch, Swartland, and Paarl, a rare regional cross-section for a South African red. The fruit is farmed and fermented with the same patient, low-intervention mindset the Fledge team applies across their range.

The wine offers a mix of red and black hedgerow fruits, tilled wet earth, and bright exotic spice, with meaty undertones and a hint of fynbos running through the glass. Cocoa nib and powdery yet firm tannins give it structure, while a savory edge and lively acidity keep things fresh. Pair it with grilled game, spiced sausage, or a hearty lamb stew.