De Krans Cape Tawny Port (South Africa)
Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 12:56 pm
Roy was kind enought to recommend some South African (SA) fortified wines. I picked up a few yesterday and open this one last night after dinner with friends, where a SA dry red was also consumed. I woun't get into details on the dry red, but it was very good :) .
I didn't take any notes but here are my thoughts on the Tawny;
Color: meduim red center fading to orange at the rim.
nose: Nuts and spices
Palate: very smooth on the front of the palate, the mid-palate was interesting. The flavor really changed to more of a madeira type nuttyness and VA. However, this lasted just a couple of seconds and then on to the back of the palate where a bit of heat showed. normally this would probably detract from the overall experience, but I actually think it helped the finish a bit.
Overall: This is one of the better tawny's I have had in a while. Very much in line with a Douro tawny. Matter of fact, had I not known, I would have sworn this was from Portugal not SA.
For a $11.00 (US) tawny I will buy more. Here is some info on it
Winemaker: Boets & Stroebel Nel
Appelation: Klein Karoo
IN THE VINEYARD: 2-wire trellis, as well as old bushvines on poor soils.
THE HARVEST: Picked at 25ยบ Balling.
IN THE CELLAR: Matured in old barrels for 6 to 9 years (average 8 years old). A blend of different vintages, freshened with a small percentage of younger Port.
BLEND INFORMATION: 50% Tinta Barocca, 35% Touriga Nacional, 10% Sauzoa, 5%Tinta Roriz
Type: Fortified; WOODED
Chemical Analysis
Alcohol: 19.5%vol
pH: 3.41
RS: 104g/l
Total Acid: 5.2g/l
I didn't take any notes but here are my thoughts on the Tawny;
Color: meduim red center fading to orange at the rim.
nose: Nuts and spices
Palate: very smooth on the front of the palate, the mid-palate was interesting. The flavor really changed to more of a madeira type nuttyness and VA. However, this lasted just a couple of seconds and then on to the back of the palate where a bit of heat showed. normally this would probably detract from the overall experience, but I actually think it helped the finish a bit.
Overall: This is one of the better tawny's I have had in a while. Very much in line with a Douro tawny. Matter of fact, had I not known, I would have sworn this was from Portugal not SA.
For a $11.00 (US) tawny I will buy more. Here is some info on it
Winemaker: Boets & Stroebel Nel
Appelation: Klein Karoo
IN THE VINEYARD: 2-wire trellis, as well as old bushvines on poor soils.
THE HARVEST: Picked at 25ยบ Balling.
IN THE CELLAR: Matured in old barrels for 6 to 9 years (average 8 years old). A blend of different vintages, freshened with a small percentage of younger Port.
BLEND INFORMATION: 50% Tinta Barocca, 35% Touriga Nacional, 10% Sauzoa, 5%Tinta Roriz
Type: Fortified; WOODED
Chemical Analysis
Alcohol: 19.5%vol
pH: 3.41
RS: 104g/l
Total Acid: 5.2g/l
