Blackwater ‘Omerta’ Carignan 2021

Blackwater ‘Omerta’ Carignan 2021

Savoury & Earthy Dry Red Carignan Swartland , South Africa
Dark, mysterious and delicious. Earthy and savoury with flavours of baking spices and dried cranberries.
£25.95
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Why You'll Love It
Omerta is named after the Mafia term "code of silence". This 100% (once upon a time) illicit Carignan is supposedly the only Carignan that Jancis Robinson has said to have enjoyed...

Carignan has a wonderfully savoury side. There is plenty of dark plum and blackberry fruit, but it's joined by black pepper, dried herbs, dried flowers and a subtle earthy character. The tannins are big but polished, while a fresh streak of acidity keeps everything in harmony. If you enjoy Rhône reds, old-vine Grenache, this is well worth exploring. Serve with grilled lamb, slow-cooked beef, roast duck or a generous cheeseboard.
About The Producer
Blackwater is the personal project of winemaker François Haasbroek, one of South Africa's most respected small-scale producers. Having worked around the world before returning to the Cape, François built Blackwater around a simple philosophy: seek out exceptional vineyards, intervene as little as possible, and let the site do the talking. Rather than following trends, he has become known for championing overlooked grape varieties and old vineyards, producing wines that are distinctive, characterful and unmistakably South African. Omerta has become something of a cult wine, named after the code of silence because François originally refused to reveal where the fruit came from for fear another winemaker would snap up the vineyard.
Winemaking Information
Omerta comes from a single dry-farmed vineyard high on the Witzenberg Mountain near Tulbagh. The grapes are hand-harvested, with around 60% fermented as whole bunches in open-top tanks using native yeasts. Extraction is deliberately gentle, with hand plunging over three weeks to preserve freshness and purity. The wine is then aged for around 18 months in old 300L and 500L French oak barrels before bottling without fining or filtration and with only a minimal sulphur addition.
Mix 6 price: £24.65
⚡ Buy 6 mixed bottles, save 5%
Mix 12 price: £23.36
⚡ Buy 12 mixed bottles, save 10%
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Wine Details
Grape
  • Carignan
Region Swartland
Country South Africa
Wine Type Red
Wine Style Savoury & Earthy Dry Red
Vintage 2021
ABV 14%
Volume 750ml
Production Methods
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Natural
Note: Wines listed as "Organic" and "Biodynamic" refer to both practising and certified production.