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 humour and spirit, he is affectionately known amongst local farmers 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 compliment to Houtbeen himself.
Charles Back
IN THE VINEYARD:
Carignan was picked ripe from the Bassons’ bushvine vineyards in the Perdeberg area. The vineyard grows on Malmesbury shale soils, contributing to the flavour of the grapes and the complexity of the final wine. This vineyard, planted in 1972, received drip irrigation, which assists through the Cape’s hot dry summers. The yield in 2008 was 5 tons per hectare.
HARVEST DATE: First week in March 2008
WINEMAKING:
Grapes were hand harvested, destalked and lightly crushed. Rhône yeasts were used for fermentation, which took place in stainless steel tanks. The grapes were cold soaked for three days at 14 degrees Celsius and pump overs were done three 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 and spent 12 months in a combination of used French oak barriques
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 grapes are delicately handled and aged in older barrels to create a wine that is lighter in style. The wine shows lovely complexity and rich, ripe fruit. Anthony de Jager
TASTING NOTE:
Dusty red fruit and plum tomato layered with savoury and spice aromas. The palate reveals tart cherry and dark plum. This medium bodied wine has a fine texture, showing notes of soft leather and cardamom on the finish.
WINE ANALYSIS:
Wine of Origin SwartlandAlcohol 14.5%Residual sugar 2.8 g/lTotal acid 5.5 g/lpH 3.55Wine of Origin SwartlandAlcohol 14.5%Residual sugar 2.8 g/lTotal acid 5.5 g/lpH 3.55
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