in the vineyard : The Basson family, who have farmed at Die Slot for three generations, were one of the first families to plant Carignan in South Africa. At 17 years of age, Cobus Basson was helping his father plant vines when a tractor overturned and rolled onto him, causing the loss of a leg. Being a man of great humor and spirit, he is affectionately known amongst local farmers as “Houtbeen†(Pegleg) Basson. Pegleg Carignan 2003 is a bold spirited wine with enormous character and depth of flavour, oozing with the essence of soil and sunshine. Carignan has found its natural home in South Africa, producing a spicy and expressive wine. A great compliment to Houtbeen himself.
in the cellar : Grapes were destalked and lightly crushed. Rhone yeasts were used for fermentation. Malolactic fermetation was completed in tank when the wine was transferred directly to barrels after malolactic was completed. The wine spent 8 months in barrel, before bottling without filtration.