Krone 2016 Kaaimansgat Blanc De Blancs

It's #CapClassiqueDay & I'm celebrating with something rather special - the new Krone 2016 Kaaimansgat Blanc De Blancs. A single-vineyard terroir-specific vintage cuvée, has been awarded double gold with a score of 93 at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2021 and was inspired by the #Champagne movement & is a terroir-driven #BlancDeBlancs, made in a natural style in small batches.

Sculpted by the vintage, it expresses the distinctive character of the iconic 33-year-old high-altitude Kaaimansgat (Crocodile’s Lair) #Chardonnay vineyard near #Villiersdorp. A site of extremes; the old vines, unirrigated, are located 700m above sea level on the steep foothills of the mountain, deep inside a blind valley in the cool-climate Elandskloof ward in the Overberg.

On the nose; sour dough, biscotti & a hint of smoky toast. The palate is fresh, lively with a fresh apple & white pear notes. Lively & youthful with a slight nutty note on the finish. Complex & rich with a lingering acidity on the aftertaste. With some food; the nature of these bubbles calls for authentic food of the highest simplicity.

Shellfish, baked oysters, whole trout grilled on a cedar-plank, pork cheeks with caramelised apples; T-bone accompanied by foraged mushrooms; Dalewood Huguenot soufflé; whole cauliflower roasted in terracotta; #CapClassique poached pears with clotted cream. (The list is endless!)

Distinctively packaged in a jet-black bottle with matching gift box, it is available for purchase at the estate or online.

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Montpellier

Just outside of Tulbagh is a farm that was established back in 1714 by 2 French Huguenot refugees from the city of Montpellier, and rightfully so, the farm; Montpellier was born. But it was only in the late 1890's that the 1st commercial vineyards were planted. 

Being in the Tulbagh Valley & surrounded by 3 mountain ranges, there is a very unique climate that has proven to be ideal for wine making. 

Beautiful soft & small bubble MCC on arrival always hits the spot. The Brut & Brut Rosè are both devine & really easy drinking.

This is one of the very few estates in South Africa where you will find a bottle of Gewürztraminer. Which is probably my favourite wine from Montpellier. Being a 100% Gewürztraminer & spending 12 months in French Oak barrels, you have a beautiful bouquet of Turkish Delight & Litchi on the nose & on the palate. Imagine having a spicy Thai dish & enjoying a glass or two of this wine. 

(Unfortunately, for me that is, this wine is so popular that it has become very rare, even so that I didn't get to taste it on the farm & it usually sells out faster than it is bottled. So if you find this wine anywhere, best you buy yourself a bottle & you can buy one for me too.) 

My next choice of wine found at Montpellier, would have to be the Spyseniersberg. A beautiful blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz & Petit Verdot. Most definitely a full-bodied red wine with a deep plum red colour, which comes through on the nose, in addition to ripe red fruits & hints of rose petals. On the palate you get an elegant full mouth feel of plums & a slight medicinal element coming through from a bit of the Eucalyptus. 

Another wine that I highly recommend is their Chenin Blanc. With Chenin Blanc being a varietal in SA that many estates have recently rediscovered, I think that this one is something easy drinking & can work for a great wine to enjoy the whole day next to the pool.

Also, lets just have another look at the stunning labels on all these bottles! Such detail & it gives the feel of a rich heritage & history that Montpellier has behind the name. 

Check out Montpellier here.

Another awesome drive with the new Ford Kuga through Tulbagh.

#WineRoutingWithLloyd

#WineRoutingWithLloyd - Saronsberg

Only opening promptly at 10:00 am on a Sunday, I found myself waiting outside the gate at Saronsberg at 9:50 am in the Tulbagh Valley. I was definitely going to wait the 10 minutes until the gates opened. And it sure was worth the wait.

Saronsberg is known for all the artwork throughout their property. On arrival, you are greeted by this interesting piece watching over the gate.

To kick start the morning, we popped open a bottle of bubbles with Gerhardt, because frankly, that is how every morning should start in my opinion. Then a taster or two of the white & rosè varietals that they have on offer.

But lets be honest, I was not there for the white wines, I was there to get down into tasting some of their beautiful red wines.

One of my all time favourite Saronsberg red wines must be the Seismic Rooi. What an elegant & easy drinking blend of 5 cultivars - Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Malbec. Beautiful dark red in colour with hints of ripe red berries on the nose & most definitely a full bodied wine that I can imagine goes very well with a good cut of well seasoned steak. 

Super stoked to have been one of the very 1st people to taste the 2016 Shiraz, a few days before it was officially released to the public.

Saronsberg is also well known for their Shiraz. As it is poured, you can see the dark purlple colour & on the nose you pick up on succulent dark berries & fruits, but yet a soft floral note followed by some spices. On the palate you get a full-mouth feel & soft oak flavours with a sort of layered fruit finish.

In the tasting room, you are welcome to take a walk about. There are a few art pieces on display for you to enjoy whilst you are sipping on a glass of their beautiful wines.

Also, if you are thinking of heading up to Saronsberg on a weekend, best be sure to get there early as it gets very busy & you want to grab yourself a seat outside in the sun to enjoy the view overlooking the dam & mountains.

Check out Saronsberg here.

Once again, driving out of Saronsberg, to head to the next estate in style & comfort in the new Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Titanium.

#WineRoutingWithLloyd

12 Days of Christmas - Day 7

and on the 7th day of Christmas...
... on my Christmas Wishlist

Krone Borealis.

I am an avid lover of a good bottle of bubbly. The Krone Borealis is a MCC created using grape varieties of Pinot Noir & Chardonnay.

I love how the name came to being. As quoted on the Krone website: "Legend records that Bacchus, God of Wine in Greek Mythology, fell in love with Ariadne, daughter of the King of Crete. In order to uplift her spirits & to prove his love to her, he threw his golden crown, a circlet of gems, into the 'heavens' where it remained to shine forever as the dainty constellation of starts called CORONA BOREALIS.  Corona means Crown, as does Krone. Following the thought pattern yet? Hence the name Krone Borealis. Thus this MCC is often described as being full of stars and as the grapes are harvested at night under the starry night sky.

So you can be sure that I will be having a bottle or 2 over the next few days whilst relaxing on holiday.

Check out @KroneMCC on Twitter and give them a shoutout when you pop a bottle.