Calitzdorp, South Africa’s port capital and home to the award-winning range of De Krans fortified wines has also become known as the ideal terroir for Portuguese grape varieties, which flourish in its climate. These include the Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Tritonia. Not only are these used as the blending components for the De Krans ports, but they are also available as stand alone wines, superb in their own right.
The De Krans Tinta Roriz 2013, which saw winemaker Louis van der Riet making it to the top three of the 2014 Diners Club Young Winemakers Award for this wine, is described as being a beautiful deep dark red plum colour. The wine displays a complex nose of dark fruits and spice. Fresh mulberries and black cassis are complemented by vanilla and sweet spice with a hint of leather. Full round flavours of cherry fruits and plums with fine tannins and alluring spice are prominent on the palate. The perfect wine to serve with roasted lamb chops, Springbok Carpaccio or pan seared Kudu steaks. This wine retails for approximately R85 per bottle.
The De Krans Touriga Nacional 2013, a beautiful deep, dark cherry red colour, is a complex wine with flavours of dark berries, violets and cacao. Sweet dark cherries, white pepper and toasted oak complete the bouquet of this wine. A full, well-balanced wine with complex flavours of cherry cigar and violets, with a lingering aftertaste of dark chocolate and a smooth tannin on the taste profile. An interesting and unusual red varietal, which lends itself to experimenting with food, especially venison and roasted lamb shank. Retails for approximately R85 per bottle.
The Portuguese-inspired wines are completed by the De Krans Tritonia (Calitzdorp Blend) 2011 which Louis describes as being a ruby red colour with complex flavours of violets, cloves and red fruit on the nose. Savoury and a fine-grained structure with lovely integrated wood and a delightful elegance are prominent on the palate. This flagship red wine from De Krans was a SA Top 100 wine in 2014. This wine also stands up well to venison dishes as well as pies and a roast. Retails for approximately R150 per bottle.
