The 1st of September is #CapClassiqueDay and the first day of Spring. A sparkling celebration is definitely in order so pop open a bottle of Krone Vintage Rosé Cuvée Brut 2020, crafted on the historic Twee Jonge Gezellen Estate in the Tulbagh Valley.
VINTAGE ONLY CREATION
The making of vintage-only Krone Cap Classique is a commitment to the vintage showcasing the character of each harvest and celebrating a moment in time and place, the unique hallmarks of every vintage as directed by nature: from soil to vine to bottle. Each vintage tells a story.The Krone winemaking team channels the rain, the sun, the wind into structure, complexity and balance – and seals it all with a cork.
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
An icy winter preceded the growing season, with snow-capped mountains encircling the vines for a restorative dormancy period. At the beginning of spring, we experienced an early, even budbreak. As temperatures rose towards summer, slow, uniform ripening saw an even set of the berries. Due to the diurnal conditions of the mountain slopes, the nights were cold in the growing season resulting in fine, stable acids for both the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The cool temperatures locked in the freshness after the warmth of the day, showing a keen balance with a good malic to tartaric acid ratio. Harvest began the second week in January, and it was a seamless transition of bringing the healthy whole bunches into the cellar in the early hours of the morning, where the fruit was gently pressed.
IN THE CELLAR
The classic varieties of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are handpicked in the cool of the night. Only the free-run juice is used for this Cap Classique: ± the first 500 litres per ton. Krone Cuvée Brut Rosé is bottle-fermented and then matures on the lees in the underground cellar.
BLEND
Pinot Noir 92%, Chardonnay 8%
TASTING NOTES
Gossamer pink. Like walking into a secret garden, the nose is fragrant and lush, aromatics of wild berries, climbing strawberry vines and the persistent undertone of night lily open to the moon. Grounding this ethereal bouquet is the mineral scent of moist clay. On entry to the palate, waves of cleansing citrus, blood orange and mandarin coalesce to a bright-fruited core of raspberries, strawberries, cranberries and white peach. The acidity is a keen line across the palate, displaying the great tension imbued by the high diurnal swings of the Tulbagh region, only amplified by the inherent freshness of the 2020 vintage. This saline sapidity runs right through complementing the textural creaminess of the lees, a counterpoint to the diaphanous mousse as the wine tapers off into a dry, strawberry-kissed finish.
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.
PURCHASE
Krone Vintage Rosé Cuvée Brut 2020 is available for purchase at the estate, online at https://www.kronecapclassique.co.za/collections/vintage-mcc and is widely available nationally at select liquor retailers and grocers.
APPROXIMATE RETAIL PRICE
R190 per 750ml bottle
TWEE JONGE GEZELLEN
Established in 1710, a national monument with over 300 years of history, Twee Jonge Gezellen in Tulbagh is the treasured home of Krone, a collection of vintage-only, terroir-driven Méthode Cap Classiques handcrafted in the traditional method in Krone’s historic underground cellar from the finest most distinctive grapes. Family-owned, the Rands family purchased the farm in 2012. Brother and sister, Svend and Abigail are involved intimately in all aspects of the estate, from vineyard plantings to marketing. Cellarmaster Rudiger Gretschel leads the winemaking division, a renowned Cape winemaker he pours his considerable knowledge into both the viticulture as well as the vinification, working seamlessly alongside Cap Classique specialist and head winemaker Stephan de Beer. In 2017 the historic estate was reimagined with the interior design being inspired by its rich heritage and original architecture. Today, after lengthy restoration, the farm is both redolent of its history as well as burgeoning with contemporary relevance.
Taste Krone’s vintage Cap Classiques soaking up the majestic views of picturesque valley and the Winterhoek, Witzenberg and Obiqua Mountains.
The KRONE X WHATIFTHEWORLD GALLERY is a collaborative space offering an immersive experience showcasing African contemporary art in the heart of Tulbagh. Now home to an Artist Residency Programme too.
TASTING ROOM & GALLERY OPENING HOURS
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00
Twee Jonge Gezellen is closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: 023 230 0680
Email: info@kronecapclassique.co.za
Website: https://www.kronecapclassique.co.za/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KroneCapClassique
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KroneCC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kronecapclassique/
