"I really love this wine as it isn't as heavy as many other pure Carignans that you can find from Spain or France. It is more fruit forward with a beautiful array of red fruit on the nose. Baked raspberry tart with red plums and cherries to boot. The palate is juicy and soft, like you could expect, with soft tannins yet a decent structure. It will keep giving for quite some time but is drinking so well now I don't know how you have the will power to hold some back."

--------THE PRODUCER--------

Testalonga

Testalonga is headed by Craig Hawkins, South Africa’s nominated “Natural Wine King”. He, and his wife Carla, are producing some of the more innovative wines in the country at the moment sourcing most of their grapes from farmers with old vine plots scattered across Paardeberg Swartland. Thanks to their loyal growers they are able to get access to incredibly ripe grapes such as Grenache, Chenin Blanc, Muscat, Carignan and Harslevelu.

--------THE GRAPE--------

Carignan

Carignan is the most common name for this fantastic red grape which is odd as it is believed to have originated in Spain in the region of Priorat. In France, it is used as a blending component in the reds of the Southern Rhone Valley or across the Languedoc-Roussillon regions of southern France. However, it is in the region of Priorat where it really stands out both as a single varietal wine or blended with Garnacha. It also goes under the guise of Carinena or Mazuelo.

--------THE REGION--------

Swartland

Traditionally a grain-producing area, in summer the Swartland district is marked by green pockets of vineyards clambering up the foothills of the mountains (Piketberg, Porterville, Riebeek and Perdeberg) and along the banks of the Berg River. In the past, the region was planted mainly to bushvines but trellising is increasingly being adopted due to advances in management strategies and quality considerations.

The Swartland literally translated means ‘the black land’ and the area takes its name from the now endangered indigenous renosterbos (rhino bush) which once turned the landscape a dark colour at certain times of the year. The district was traditionally a source of robust, full-bodied red wines and high quality, fortified wines. The Swartland Independent Producers (SIP) is a coming together of a group of like-minded producers working to express a true sense of place in the wines of the Swartland.

In recent times, some exciting award-winning wines have emerged, both red and white, and the area continues to produce top port-style wines. Increasing percentages of Pinotage, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are being grown here, as well as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. It has five designated wards: Malmesbury, Paardeberg, Paardeberg-South, Riebeekberg and Riebeeksrivier. The district of Swartland borders Piketberg to the north, which is not dissimilar in both geography and climate.

Optional Search Filters

Limit Search To

Product Type

Wine Grape and/or Blends

Why not refine your search?

Limit Search To

Product Type

Wine Grape and/or Blends