When
we told Boets Nel at a recent wine event that we were coming through Calitzdorp
on this trip he insisted that we should have lunch with him while we were
there. We met him on his farm, De Krans, for a tasting before lunch. It is only about 65
Kilometres from Oudtshoorn to Calitzdorp
The roses in the garden are
magnificent and full of healthy bees. De
Krans farm has been in the Nel family since 1890.
We had a long chat with winemaker Louis
van der Riet, who is inspiring. He has
brought so much to De Krans, which was previously known more for its excellent
multi award-winning Ports (now renamed with euphemisms like Cape Tawny, Cape Ruby, Late Bottled Vintage and
Late Vintage Reserve, as we are not allowed to use the name "Port" for South African Portuguese style fortified wines). The De Krans fortified wines still score very well next to the Portuguese in blind tastings!
Boets with his wines and "Ports". We had a very comprehensive tasting and loved
the wines and "Ports" we tasted. We bought a case each of his Touriga Naçional red table wine, Chenin
blanc and Chardonnay. With all the Platter 5 star certificates on the wall behind Boets, it was very gratifying to see Boets, his brother Stroebel and Louis gain another 5 star award at this evening's Platter launch!
Boets very generously presented us
with a magnum of his special 2010 "The Last Port". 2010 was the last year in which South Africa was
allowed to use the description "Port".
Then we were off to the centre of town, to the Portuguese restaurant, Porto Deli
The very tempting menu. It was a hot day, so eating a lot was not an
option
Olives and bread on the table to start
with
We had a bottle of Boets' Bordeaux
blend Tritonia with lunch; rich and layered and full of red berry fruit and
good vanilla wood notes
John had Pork loin and Boets had steak
Lynne had an excellent salad of smoked
salmon, prawns and avocado. just right for a scorcher of a day. Thank you so
much, Boets for all your time, great wine and a lovely, friendly lunch
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor
& Bacchus 2015
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