After travelling extensively in Portugal and Austria learning his craft, Craig Hawkins returned to South Africa and became the winemaker at top Swartland estate Lammershoek. Craig now makes his own wines from various small, organic vineyard sites in Swartland and makes his wine naturally, with as little intervention as possible.
Follow Your Dreams is a big bouncing ball of a Carignan – a world away from the heavier, more intense expressions you may link to the Launguedoc or Priorat. Of all the Testalonga bush vines these are the youngest; they produce grapes with vigour, meaning less physiological ripeness and complexity, but big on the pure-fruited juice. It's all red berries like raspberry and cherry with tart pomegranate and interesting herbaceous notes too. This is one to throw into the ice bucket and then pour out into generous glasses. Craig's wines have a keen following, and for good reason. They don't tend to hang around for long either.
Light-footed and joyously present in style, the moderate nature of the 2021 vintage delivered lovely juicy, weighty fruit with fresh acidity expressed via pomegranate, cherry and cranberry. Playful in raspberry and white pepper on the nose, it finishes clean and surprisingly savoury. More refreshing than red wine has any business being, really.
Reviews for previous vintages below…
90/100 Christian Eedes, winemag.co.za (2020 Vintage)
"Red cherry plus dried herbs and a slight earthy note. Good fruit concentration bright acidity and a nicely grippy finish – light but flavourful."
93/100 Jamie Goode, November 2019 (2019 Vintage)
"Carignan. Aged in two foudres, making 7000 litres. Supple, juicy and sweetly fruited with nice texture and some raspberry and cherry fruit as well as some wild strawberries. Crunchy and fresh with nice juiciness."