Nabygelegen Scaramanga Red 2022

Winemaking: After harvest and extensive selection of bunches and berries, the grapes are cold soaked for a period of 5 days before undergoing a prolonged fermentation in chilled stainless steel tanks. Regular soakings and aerated pumpovers take place, along with further carbonic maceration after fermentation for up to 10 days, to ensure optimum flavour extraction. The wine is then racked, pressed and undergoes malolactic fermentation and a further 6 months maturation in a selection of different French barrels before being bottled unfiltered.
Producer & region: Nabygelegen is a historic estate located in Bovlei (Upper Valley) near Wellington. The history of the estate includes the cultivation of vines and fruit trees, with ancient stone tools even being discovered in the soil of the vineyards.

The terroir of Nabygelegen is unique due to its diverse soils, slopes and climatic conditions. The nearby mountains have deposited complex layers of rock and soil in the valleys, giving the vineyards the opportunity to exploit specific terroirs for both red and white wine production.

The vineyards cover 19.5 hectares of the 35-hectare estate and are home to a variety of grape varieties including Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Sémillon. Some of the oldest vines date back to 1940 and produce concentrated Chenin Blanc, while new plantings of grape varieties such as Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon are expected to produce fruit from 2022.

The region’s climate is characterised by long dry summers and cold wet winters, ideal for grape ripening. The vineyards of Nabygelegen are protected from winter storms and excessive heat by the surrounding mountains.

Winemaker Jacques Erasmus has been making wine from a young age and has a great passion for Chenin Blanc. Jacques has many years of experience and worked for the renowned wine company Spier (Stellenbosch) for a long time. A few years ago he took over the Nabygelegen estate from the previous owner and winemaker James Mckenzie (SnowMountain Wines).

Nabygelegen is an estate with a rich history, unique terroirs and Jacques has an immense dedication to producing high-quality South African wines. His approach in the vineyard and the cellar reflects the pursuit of quality and respect for nature.

Wine & Food: Roast/grilled game, red meat, lamb, mushroom dishes, stews and aged and blue cheeses.

Other information: Former winemaker James McKenzie thought back to the time when he helped with the harvest in the town of Haro (in the Spanish region of Rioja). The Tempranillo grape (the king of the area) was called “Scaramanga” by the pickers and winemakers, also known as the “bad guy”. This had to do with the fact that tempranillo is a grape variety with a strong personality and is difficult to cultivate and pick and sometimes left scars (scars) behind pickers.

Scaramanga is also the “bad guy” in the James Bond film “The man with the golder gun”. In South Africa, the tempranillo grape is quite rare but is part of this sturdy Nabygelegen blend.