Kloovenburg Carignan 2015

Out of the ordinary.

At Kloovenburg in the Swartland, Carignan was planted in 2011 in order to provide a further component for the premium red blend called Eight Feet but winemaker Jolandie Fouché was so taken with what the 2015 harvest provided that she decided to make a small batch of single-variety wine – 30% whole bunch fermented, it was matured for 14 months in older barrels.

The nose is very expressive with notes of cranberry, cherry and raspberry plus flowers, herbs and spice.  The palate meanwhile shows great fruit concentration, snappy acidity and just the right amount of tannic grip. It’s a particular wine but very flavoursome and once again suggests that Kloovenburg is busy shedding its slightly workmanlike reputation under Fouché’s tenure. Price: R160 a bottle.

#WinemagRating: 90/100.

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