Bosbrand Carignan

A seriously drinkable South African Carignan that balances dark red fruits with leafy freshness and a spice-tinged finish. Red cherry and plum sit alongside gentle pepper and subtle earth, with enough structure to feel textured without dragging you down. A little oak and a whole-cluster lift give it a slightly savoury note, making it easy company for tomato-y pasta, barbeque veg, or simply a slab of sharp cheese. 

Rook en Spieëls (literally “Smoke and Mirrors”) is a project built around old, established vineyards in Wellington, including what’s said to be some of South Africa’s oldest Carignan plantings alongside younger parcels. Grapes are picked from both, fermented separately (older vines in French oak, younger vines with a whole-cluster component) and blended back together to capture both weight and vibrancy, letting site and vine age speak over heavy manipulation.