Our final stop on our Franschhoek four day extravaganza was
a visit to Haute Cabrière. We have known the family for many, many years and
were so looking forward to seeing them after quite a while, doing a tasting
with Cellarmaster Takuan von Arnim and having lunch with Achim and Hildegard von Arnim. The rain was over, the valley was looking beautiful. They do have
some of the very best views of Franschhoek
The restaurant now has a new venue outside, so the space
inside is now the tasting venue
It is built into the hill and is cavernous
New furnishings have made it into a modern, comfortable place
to chill
while enjoying the great Haute Cabrière Cap Classiques and wines
A wall of Haute Cabrière history
Good space allows for lots of people seated safely well
apart
Takuan took us down to see the new function and conference
spaces
Useful for indoor events
The barrel cellar is spectacular
Another smaller venue room
A brief hello and an elbow virtual hug with winemaker Tim
Hoek, who was very busy with harvest wine making
A rather impressive terracotta amphora
Achim von Arnim's paintings grace many of the walls
The subjects and bright colours do contribute to the ambience
Back upstairs to begin a tasting
We met Hildegard and Takuan in the restaurant first; it's a magnificent
glass box with an open seating area on the side
We began tasting with two Haute Cabrière Chardonnays; the 2017 made
the conventional way, but with 20% from the amphora. The 2018 was all
made in the amphora. It was very interesting to taste them together to see the difference the two wine making methods had made to the wine. The grapes are from one
block planted in 1983. Golden fruit on the nose, very pretty indeed and a good
whiff of oak. Crisp, full, with good golden fruit and some citrus, the wine had
lots of wood structure, so it will last and mature; a 10 year wine. A
food wine that gets better in the glass. It was difficult to detect the difference the 20% amphora
wine made to the 2017. Lynne enjoyed it so much that she took her glass to lunch with her, augmented
by Takuan
The Amphora 2018 Chardonnay is yeasty, and has notes of Brie
and yellow fruit on the nose
It spent 10 months in the amphora. Soft and silky
texture on the palate with gentle lime and citrus flavours. To drink now
The back label
Takuan pouring us our tasting samples
Next came a wine they are renowned for, their 2018 Pinot
Noir. The grapes are planted very densely, as they are in Burgundy. And indeed, on
the nose, it does identify as a good Burgundy Pinot Noir. Red berry fruit,
perfume; good, gentle, but present, oak and lots of class. On the silky soft
palate, beautiful red fruit, freshness, a zing of acidity so necessary, good
wood supporting and soft chalky tannins; very impressive. As expected!
The Cellar Door price list
Time for lunch
A rather Mondrian or Rothko art piece livens up the space
The tables are small and well spaced, the chairs are comfortable. We wish they
were in all restaurants
A glass of Pierre Jourdan Brut Cap Classique always sparkles
up an occasion with friends
A simple menu gives lots of choice. If you want variety,
order a selection of Tapas
If you want a large plate of a favourite, go for the
Plat du Jour, and you can still have Tapas as a starter
Good to see Achim looking so spry, fit and feisty. Lynne
and Hildegard always have lots to chat about
Achim and John were at school together and there was a lot of talk about that
A bottle of Pinot Noir Reserve with lunch was much enjoyed
Hildegard and Lynne ordered the Sweetcorn and Spring onion
risotto and added the pan-fried prawns, a delicious dish; the rice cooked
perfectly, with still a little 'bite', lots of flavour in the creamy sauce and
the prawn on top
A huge portion, very filling
John had the Sirloin steak with a Béarnaise sauce,
very
crispy Pommes Anna and fine green beans, which he really enjoyed. Achim had the lamb rib
As we left, we saw the Franschhoek Tram arrive; it does a great job, bringing people to the wineries
It was a really lovely day, catching up with Hildegard,
Achim and Takuan and eating and drinking so well
An epic end to a lovely Franschhoek
stay
Thank you von Arnims, very, very much
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