Just released Krone’s collection of 2019 Vintage-Only Cap Classiques

Rooted. In time, in history, in the very soils we call home. Rooted in our belief of sharing the story of every growing season, harvest and vinification in our underground cellar.
From our farm to your table.

Krone's Collection of 2019 Vintage-Only Cap Classiques

The making of vintage-only Krone MCC, a commitment to the vintage and the character of each harvest, celebrates a moment in time and place, the unique hallmarks of every vintage as directed by nature: from soil to vine to bottle.

Comments cellarmaster, Rudiger Gretschel: “We believe that each vintage tells a story. Our winemaking team channels the rain, the sun, the wind into structure, complexity and balance - and seals it all with a cork.”

“What marked the 2019 vintage for me were the clean and healthy grapes we harvested, with firm acidities producing superlative base wines for making age-worthy Méthode Cap Classiques. I believe it’s a vintage we’ll remember for some time to come.”

The 300-year-old Twee Jonge Gezellen Estate in Tulbagh is the historic home of Krone, a collection of vintage-only, terroir-driven Méthode Cap Classiques made from the finest, most distinctive grapes.

Traditional Champagne grape varieties, chardonnay and pinot noir have been night-harvested since the early 1980s to preserve the quality and delicate aromas and flavours of the grapes. Only the free-run juice is used for Krone vintage-only Méthode Cap Classique: the first 500 litres per ton.

Time, patience and dedication to handcrafted Cap Classique creates the perfect platform for each vintage to shine. Twee Jonge Gezellen has the honour of being home to the first underground cellar in Africa. Here, vintage after vintage of Vintage-Only MCC is stacked in its coves as well as being hand-turned in traditional pupitres, while the Méthode Cap Classique matures on the lees: truly handcrafted wines.

TERROIR

The site-specific rocky soils of Tulbagh are like nowhere else in the Cape Winelands. This is Krone’s bedrock for making great Cap Classique. Twee Jonge Gezellen’s vineyards run up the eastern slopes of the Saronsberg Mountain. The mountain is known as ‘the rainmaker’ thanks to the rain-shadow effect created by the peak. Protected from the buffeting of the Cape’s summer ‘South-Easter’, the elevated vineyards benefit from the cool airflow that descends the mountain slopes by night. Ripening in Tulbagh occurs on average two weeks earlier than in the majority of the Western Cape’s wine regions. This allows the grapes to retain their natural acidity, which is so important for the making of elegant Méthode Cap Classique. This has enabled Krone to use malolactic conversion - normally rare in the making of MCC - which ensures richness of flavour without losing the fresh acidity that makes Krone MCCs so sought-after.

Krone Vintage Borealis Cuvée Brut 2019

Krone Vintage Borealis Cuvée Brut 2019

BLEND

73% Chardonnay and 27% Pinot Noir

TASTING NOTES

Iridescent pale gold. Oyster shell and sea-breeze aromatics on entry lead to bright green orchard apples, white blossoms, lemon flesh and a treacle hit of salted caramel. The Borealis presents deft and athletic on the palate with a creamy, fine-textured mousse. Yellow apples, kumquat and naartjie evolve with a touch of lemon meringue framing an iodine core; taut and true to 2019’s growing conditions, the acidity is firm and cleansing, revealing white ginger root on the finish.

FOOD PAIRING

Krone Borealis 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 2019

Krone Vintage Rosé Cuvée Brut 2019

BLEND

87% Pinot Noir and 13% Chardonnay

TASTING NOTES

Gossamer pink. Aromatics of frais de bois (wild strawberries), the strawberry edged in papaya pip spice (similar to black peppercorn spice). Ethereal notes of rosewater skate along denser tones of crushed orange peel. Pinot noir led, the terroir is vividly sketched on the palate, sunbaked stones, the perfect ripeness of a gentle summer, strawberries, white peach, tangy cranberry freshness. The acids are lemony and soft, light and buoyant. A deeper tug into fresh cream, a layered mouth-coating mousse, finishing with lingering notes of toasted hazelnuts.

FOOD PAIRING

Krone Cuvée Brut Rosé delights in food that favours honest expression, a simple picnic with slivers of charcuterie, crusty sourdough bread and ripe, melty Camembert. A tug-of-war between density and weightlessness, the structure lends itself to the refined too; from salmon with crispy skin crackling and wild black rice to rolled porchetta, and duck with cherries.

Krone Vintage Demi-Sec Méthode Cap Classiques

Demi-Sec is a distinctive style of Cap Classique that deserves to be discovered. It is probably the closest in style to the first famous sparkling wines of France a century ago: providing that touch of sweetness which renders the style “Demi-Sec” or Semi-Sweet in category.

Krone Vintage Night Nectar Demi-Sec 2019

Krone Vintage Night Nectar Demi-Sec 2019

BLEND

73% Chardonnay and 27% Pinot Noir

TASTING NOTES

Lustrous lemon. Lifted and generous, aromatics of honeysuckle, apple blossom, the scent of baking golden apples. Magisterial in its detail, plush and a little wicked. Pure, clean stone fruits, peach and nectarine, an abundance of classic lemon drop and nuances of ginger spice. The acidity is driven, a silver bullet, a ricochet of the growing conditions of 2019. Honeyed and soft, an opulent mousse, fine beaded and long-lived, is drawn 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, poppyseed and goats cheese cheesecake.

Krone Vintage Night Nectar Demi-Sec Rosé 2019

Krone Vintage Night Nectar Demi-Sec Rosé 2019

BLEND

73% Chardonnay and 27% Pinot Noir

TASTING NOTES

Pale pink. A radiance of red fruit, glossy and spontaneous. Bright summer strawberries, licks of whipped cream. The brightness of lemon unfurls alongside heady maraschino cherries. On the palate a core of intense red fruit, juicy and fresh. Nostalgic toffee apples play on the rich, voluminous palate. Wild and lively with clean pure fruit, the health of the 2019 harvest on show, an exhibition of a vineyard released from drought. A sense of restraint on the finish, tailored with bright acidity and a touch of roasted almonds in its echo.

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 and cream are all heightened when paired with the pillowy softness of strawberry cream cake, the astringency of raspberry pinwheels, and the fine crunch of rose-water macarons.

PURCHASE

Krone’s 2019 Vintage Cap Classiques are available for purchase at the estate, online at kronemcc.com/ collections/vintage-mcc and are widely available nationally at select liquor retailers and grocers.

APPROXIMATE RETAIL PRICE

R165 per 750ml bottle.

TWEE JONGE GEZELLEN

Established in 1710, a national monument with over 300 years of history, Twee Jonge Gezellen, in a continuation of the founding pioneer spirit, invented cold fermentation in the 1950s and has the honour of being home to the first underground cellar in Africa.

The Rands family purchased Twee Jonge Gezellen 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 MCC specialist and head winemaker Stephan de Beer, who was recently nominated for the 2020 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Award (Cap Classique category) for his 2017 Krone Borealis Vintage Cuvée Brut.

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 300-year-old history as well as burgeoning with contemporary relevance. Visitors can journey through a series of extraordinary spaces, immersed in history, and filled with contemporary art, sculpture and collectible design - including arresting, custom-made pieces by local designers, Gregor Jenkin, Laurie Wiid and Meyer von Wielligh - before moving on to sample Krone’s vintage Cap Classiques. The raised terrace offers singular views of the picturesque valley and the Winterhoek, Witzenberg and Obiqua Mountains, while the Tasting Room boasts a dramatic picture window that unveils the workings of the cellar.

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.

Twee Jonge Gezellen continues to delight its visitors into the 21st century, offering tastings and gallery tours.

TASTING ROOM HOURS

Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 16:00

GALLERY HOURS