variety : Carignan [ 100% Carignan ]
winemaker : Anthony de Jager
wine of origin : Coastal
analysis : alc : 14.38 % vol rs : 3.6 g/l pH : 3.63 ta : 5.6 g/l
type : Red style : Dry wooded
pack : Bottle closure : Cork
in the vineyard : Carignan was picked ripe from the Basson's bushvine vineyards in the Perdeberg area. The vineyard grows on Malmesbury shale soils, contributing to the complexity of the final wine. This 25 year old vineyard receives drip irrigation, which assists through the hot dry summers.
The Basson family, who have farmed at Die Slot for 3 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 humour and spirit, he is affectionately known amongst local farmes as 'Houtbeen' (Pegleg) Basson. Pegleg Carignan 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 complimet to Houtbeen himself. - Charles Back
Winemaker's comments:
There is very little Carignan grown in South Africa. We are very excited by the quality of the grapes which we accidentally found whilst looking for old vine Pinotage in the area. the wine shows lovely complexity and rich, ripe fruit. - Anthony de Jager
in the cellar : After harvesting the grapes were destalked and lightly crushed. Rhone yeasts were used for fermentation, which took place in stainless steel tanks. The grapes were cold soaked for 3 days at 14° C and pumpovers were done 3 times a day during fermentation. The tank was gradually allowed to warm as the wine fermented dry. Malolactic fermentation was completed in tank. the wine was then transferred to barrels ans spent 12 months in a combination of used French oak barriques.