KRONE’S range of four 2018 Cap Classiques offers something for everyone, enchanting any palate whether your preferred bubbly is taut and lean, refreshing and fruit forward, plush and expansive, crisp and dry, or rich and voluminous with a touch of sweetness.
KRONE BOREALIS VINTAGE CUVÉE BRUT 2018
BLEND: 73% Chardonnay and 27% Pinot Noir.
TASTING NOTES: Elegant, iridescent gold. Bursts of elderflower and apple blossom intermingle with orange peel and crushed oyster shell. There’s a citrusy tingle of baobab pods on palate entry, edged in that salinity so characteristic of the 2018 vintage. Taut, lean and fresh; kumquat and naartjie come to the fore evolving into salted caramel. The mousse is fine-beaded and toned, with a graceful trajectory into a tensile finish that promises to become more biscuity as it ages.
FOOD PAIRING: The flagship MCC evokes a sense of discovery in dining—in a pure and simple way; such as mussels steamed open with seawater; with its distinct line of salinity, the Borealis elevates the oceanic. Minerals and earth; salt-baked; creamy porcini risotto. Simmering comforts of braising chicken, texture and spice.
KRONE VINTAGE ROSÉ CUVÉE BRUT 2018
BLEND: 87% Pinot Noir and 13% Chardonnay.
TASTING NOTES: Salmon-pink. A floral bouquet of rosewater meets the sweet-sour-salty scent of coastal sour figs. Fresh red fruits – pomegranates, cranberries – take centre stage on the full, soft palate, unfolding into candied orange and white-fleshed nectarine. The complexity of the 2018 vintage is on show here; the drought resulted in smaller harvests that culminated in base wines with pure fruit expressions. There’s a fragility and elegance to the pinot noir. The vivid acidity is cushioned in a fine, creamy mousse, finishing with lingering notes of toasted hazelnuts.
FOOD PAIRING: Krone Cuvée Brut Rosé delights in food that favours honest expression; from a simple picnic with slivers of charcuterie, crusty sourdough bread, ripe, melty Camembert. A tug-of-war between density and weightlessness, the structure lends itself to the refined too; salmon with crispy skin crackling and wild black rice to rolled porchetta, and duck with cherries.
KRONE VINTAGE NIGHT NECTAR DEMI-SEC2018
BLEND: 73% Chardonnay and 27% Pinot Noir
TASTING NOTES: Pale lemon-yellow. A light and bright bouquet of honeysuckle, apple blossom and jasmine intermingle with the scent of baking golden apples. The pure, clean fruit expression of the 2018 vintage is evident on the palate; litchis layered with the zing of nectarine, lemon drops and nuances of ginger spice. Full, plush and expansive, the mouthfeel is honeyed and soft, with a dreamy mousse that recedes into a refreshing, poised finish.
FOOD PAIRING: A dance of brightness and opulence, Night Nectar demands rich, indulgent dishes. Creamy and fragrant butter chicken curry hits all the right notes as does smoked fish croquettes with lemon aioli. Refreshing yet plush, it pulls you into the realm of the sweet too. Think honeycomb and salted caramel or lemon, poppy seed and goats cheese cheesecake.
KRONE VINTAGE NIGHT NECTAR DEMI-SEC ROSÉ 2018
BLEND: 87% Pinot Noir and 13% Chardonnay
TASTING NOTES: Lustrous pink-copper. Aromas of cranberries, raspberries, strawberries and red cherries deepen into maraschino cherries and toffee apples on the rich and voluminous palate. Wild brambleberries join the lively and playful fruit centre. Poised, refreshing and fruit-forward the phenolic ripeness of the 2018 vintage is on show here. The mousse is fine and creamy with the effervescence of citrus-sherbet singing along, lengthening into a vibrant acidity and treacle-tinged finish.
FOOD PAIRING: The vibrant vivacity of this MCC is a true joy paired with bold, deep flavours; prawns grilled on hot coals with coconut lime basting and peach chutney; its berry-richness harmonious with unctuous, sticky pork belly; spice, texture, cream are all heightened, pair with the pillowy softness of strawberry cream cake, the astringency of raspberry pinwheels, and the fine crunch of rose-water macarons.
RETAIL PRICE: All approximately R150 per bottle.
Twee Jonge Gezellen continues to delight its visitors into the 21st century, offering tastings, cellar and gallery tours.
- The Tasting Room and Deck are open Mondays to Fridays from 10am till 4pm, and on Saturdays from 10am till 2pm
- The WHATIFTHEWORLD Gallery at Twee Jonge Gezellen, celebrating African contemporary art in the heart of Tulbagh is open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am till 4pm
Call 023 230 0680, email [email protected], or click here for more information.
