Description
From the mountain-framed Slanghoek ward of Breedekloof, the 2022 Kumusha The Flame Lily is a white blend from South Africa’s Breede River Valley, composed of 62 percent Roussanne, 30 percent Chenin Blanc, 5 percent Semillon, and 3 percent Colombard. Kumusha was founded in 2017 by Zimbabwean sommelier Tinashe Nyamudoka after a collaboration with Attie Louw of Opstal in the Slanghoek Valley, and the name refers in Shona to home, roots, or origin. The vineyards occupy high inland valley sites with varied soils, including alluvial material, river stones, heavier dark soils, and sandy shale in former river beds; exact parcel exposure is not published. Grapes are handpicked, with Chenin Blanc sourced from registered old vines. The fruit is gently pressed, settled for 36 hours, and partly fermented dry on skins before spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in old French oak, followed by ten months of aging and bottling without fining. The cuvée fits Kumusha’s work through regional sourcing, collaborative production, and low-intervention cellar choices.