#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Steenberg

What is a #WineRoutingWithLloyd trip without popping in for some bubbly at Steenberg? A stone throw away from the city, it's easily accessible if you can't travel out to the winelands, or the perfect stop en-route to the city. A true Constantia gem that delivers every time! 

One thing that has stood out for me on every visit to Steenberg, is the passion & enthusiasm of the team. These people really have a love for wine & they are eager to share their knowledge & love with visitors to the estate. 

Kick off the your visit with a tasting & jump straight into a flight of bubbles to tickle the taste buds. 

 - 1682 Chardonnay Brut NV

Light in colour with a delicate mousse. A fresh nose with crisp hints of Granny Smith apples & soft white peaches. Lively on the palate with flavours of lemon, sweet citrus & fresh croissants. A lingering fresh finish that makes this the perfect bubbly to go with your breakfast. 

 - 1682 Pinot Noir Brut NV

Pale pink in the glass, exuding fruity aromas of raspberry & strawberry alongside a sweetness of red apple & toasted brioche. A fine mousse which brings out more of the berry flavours on the palate, that add to a somewhat creamy texture & dry lingering finish. The longer you leave this bottle, I'd expect some more savoury characteristics to develop making it a great bottle to serve at a pool party or at the dinner table. 

 - Lady R Cap Classique 2016

A gorgeous pale copper tint in the glass accompanied by a nose of freshly peeled red apples, almonds & citrus with a slight hint of dried herbs. A soft & creamy palate that is complemented by a refreshing acidity with a touch of cinnamon spice. Truly elegant bubbles that add to a refined texture with a soft lingering finish perfect for those special occasions. 

Next up I'd suggest you try a flight of Sauvignon Blanc on offer.

 - Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc

 - Steenberg Rattlesnake Sauvignon Blanc

 - Steenberg The Black Swan Sauvignon Blanc

Constantia Sauvignon Blanc really just hits differently & Steenberg is top in it's class when it comes to showcasing the varietal in it's true form whilst providing a pure expression of the unique terroir that proves you can age white wine for a few more years in order for it to truly evolve into it's full potential. 

Each of these have similarities, but also have stand out points that make them so unique & different. From that Cape Gooseberry freshness with lime & white blossoms to the Elderflower, asparagus & Fynbos. The crispness & acidity that softens with each bottle into a more creamy texture. A lingering minerality follows in each, that makes the cool climate Sauvignon Blanc just so much more beautiful. Ageing from the Sauvignon Blanc from 2-5 years, the Rattlesnake from 5-7 years & The Black Swan between 10-20 year.

Finish off tasting the white wines with the Steenberg Semillon. A pale gold liquid in your glass with aromas of lime & light hints of apricot. Following onto the palate alongside some citrus & roasted almonds with a rather elegant mid-palate of fruit. A bright acidity with citrus & floral notes lingering on the palate on the aftertaste. (One of my personal favourites.)

Lets delve into a glass of red or 2 too. In the next post that is. So now it's time to sit & enjoy the beautiful tasting room with contemporary finishes whilst overlooking the water feature & admiring, what I consider to be, a piece of art that hangs from the ceiling above the tasting island in the centre of the tasting room. Sip on some more wine whilst a wine ambassador tops you up & tells you a bit more. 

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#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Constantia Glen

It's definitely one of my favourite #WineRoutingWithLloyd stops. The combination of the view, the wine, the food & the company at Constantia Glen is always a winner. Last time I sat down for lunch with winemaker Justin van Wyk was in May 2019, & it really just feels like yesterday.

This Heritage Day, Constantia Glen is pulling out all the stops. You'll be in for a treat - indulge in a South African Braai platter whilst listening to some local live music, (live music, currently weather dependent). A rather generous platter for 2 - lamb straight of the spit, boerewors, braai-broodjies, pap poppers with cheese & peppadews, Chakalaka, mixed salad & olives, for only R360.

With the weather taking a turn for the better & that feeling of Spring in the air, good food needs good wine. On my recent visit, I tasted some of the latest offerings & I can reassure you that it would all make a good combination. (Especially the red Bordeaux varietal blends - Constantia Glen THREE (2017) & the Constantia Glen FIVE (2018)).

A premium offering of wines at it's best. The THREE - a blend of 3 Bordeaux varietals; Merlot, Malbec & Cabernet Sauvignon. A dark red that unwinds into a lighter & more lively garnet colour in the glass. On the nose there's a distinct hint of ripe red & black fruits mixed with a touch of savoury elements. Whilst on the palate those ripe fruits follow with a velvety mouthfeel & with some minerality to linger just long enough until that next sip. 

The FIVE - bright aromas of plums, black currant & touches of dried herbs followed by tender savoury notes & just a slight hint of violets. The Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot & Malbec makes for a great food wine, especially for Heritage Day. A powerful & structured palate that follows well from the nose & finishes with a lingering freshness.

All the other popular cheese & charcuterie platters & menu items are naturally available - the Trout Rosti is fresh & full of flavour. A delightful mix of textures that accompany the wines so well. 

I'd highly recommend to make that reservation, as space is limited with current level 3 lockdown restrictions. 

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Debut of Cellarmaster Elunda Basson's 1st Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc

As South African's we love a good Sauvignon Blanc, & soon you'll be able to fill your glasses with Cellarmaster - Elunda Basson's very first Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc, in a new style, that expresses its timeless elegance with a new refined look. 

Elunda joined Steenberg back in June 2019, & has since then set her sights on securing Steenberg's place a producer of Top Tier Sauvignon Blanc. "With the 2020 vintage, I am finally able to share my 1st Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc sporting a brand new elegant look." says Elunda. The Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2020 & the Steenberg Rattlesnake Sauvignon Blanc 2019 are the 1st to make their debut with the new labels. Still giving prominence to the iconic Steenberg swan whilst reflecting quality, elegance & esteem. The new packaging will be extended further into the range later in the year. 

Steenberg has always been synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc that offers great complexity and individual expressions of the farm's unique place in the Constantia Valley.

The Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Embracing beautiful qualities of a Constantia Sauvignon Blanc with a bouquet of Cape gooseberries, nettles, capsicum & white blossoms. A cool-climate wine, that lends itself to soft yet lively entry & giving it an enduring length. On the palate; citrus zest & elderflower, with a distinctive lingering minerality. 

At a recommended selling price of R145.00 - ready to drink now & for another year or 2. Serve it with fresh summer salads or seafood. 

The Steenberg Rattlesnake Sauvignon Blanc 2019

A textured & multi-layered, lightly wooded wine with a rich & alluring mouthfeel, thanks to the fermentation of some of the wine in French Oak & Concrete Egg-shaped vessels. Cape gooseberries & fresh asparagus on the nose, accompanied by hints of capsicum and lime. An elegant & creamy wine with a hint of acidity, finishing off with that distinctive lingering minerality.

A recommended selling price of R170.00 - ready to drink now & I'd even stock up and keep a few bottles for 3-4 more years. Serve this with fresh seafood or a creamy pasta.  Both wines are slightly more on the pricey side of the list, but most definitely worth it.

Check out www.steenbergfarm.com online.
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#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Constantia Glen

A wine estate that has one of my favourite views in Constantia, is most definitely Constantia Glen. There is just an air of surreal tranquility that is really just good for the soul. We finished our #WineRoutingWithLloyd trip this year, with a stop here. And what a way to end off a great trip. 

Lunch with winemaker - Justin van Wyk. A real down to earth guy & we just had a wonderful afternoon of eating some of his favourite items from the menu & sipping on some of the award winning wines that come from the estate. 

Just a quick mention, that the Constantia Glen TWO 2018 is 1 of 5 white Bordeaux-style blends that were recently rated as 'wine of the year' in Tim Atkin's 2019 SA Special Report, & got a 95/100 for the 3rd consecutive vintage. Whilst the Constantia Glen FIVE 2015 & Constantia Glen THREE 2016 both scored 93 points. 

The Constantia Glen TWO is my favourite. A soft barrel fermented blend of Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon where the oak, tropical fruits & slight minerality are combined & balanced elegantly. 

The Constantia Glen THREE, is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc. These grapes are hand harvested & sorted, so you know that some serious care has gone into making sure these grapes are perfect. Dark red & black fruits coming through on the nose & intensify on the palate into something slightly more savoury. 

The Constantia Glen FIVE, is the flagship wine & a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec & Petit Verdot. Ripe black cherries initially hit me hard on this one, but with some time & air, there was a bit of floral & even herbaceous notes. On the palate, a rich full bodied wine that is like velvet. 

Having a conversation with Justin van Wyk really does leave you in awe of the incredible work that a winemaker actually goes through to get from vine to bottle. He is definitely one of the really calm & collected guys & that really comes through in his wines. The attention to detail in prep of grapes & the fermentation process are proven in the outstanding quality of the wines you'll get here. 

The menu is seasonal, & will surprise you each time you get there. But what I can guarantee, is that you will always find something fresh & interesting to eat. 

From a fresh Tuna Niçoise salad or the winemakers choice of flat bread, or as it is otherwise known - Flammkuchen, that sports Boerewors & an egg! Each to his own, but definitely don't be shy & be adventurous when ordering something off of this menu. 

To end off. A delectable chocolate fondant, that will have satisfy that sweet tooth of yours! I love how the acidity of the strawberry breaks through that sweetness of the dark chocolate. Yum.

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