2022 The Fledge & Co. - Vagabond White Blend Calitzdorp Western Cape (750ml)

The Fledge & Co. is a husband-and-wife operation run by Leon Coetzee and Margeaux Nel out of Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo, though their fruit sourcing ranges far beyond their home base. True to the winery's nomadic character, they own no vineyards of their own, instead assembling grapes from low-yielding, prime sites scattered across the length and breadth of the Cape. Vagabond is their signature expression of that philosophy, a multi-varietal, multi-regional white that changes composition from year to year depending on what each season's plots deliver.

The 2022 blend is anchored by Chenin Blanc and rounded out with a striking mix of Roussanne, Verdelho, Colombard, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Macabeo, drawn from vineyards across different soils and climates. Each component is fermented separately, largely in old French oak barrels with neutral yeasts, and matured on its own for roughly nine months before final blending. The finished wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, with only yeast and a light touch of sulfur added throughout.

Expect grapefruit and pineapple up front, giving way to rose petal and a honeyed creaminess on the palate. High acidity keeps the wine bright and food-friendly despite its richness, all at a modest thirteen percent alcohol. Serve it with grilled prawns, Thai green curry, or a soft triple-cream cheese.