ThePortForum.com

I assume that if I taste anything over the next week that is made in South Africa - even if from Portuguese root stock brougt into the region many generations ago - then I have to post it here and not in the "proper Port" section?

Alex

I put 1985 Ko-öperatiewe Wijnbouwers Vereniging (of South Africa) in the Port Tasting Notes section, though perhaps because it was tasted with ‘real ports’.

Alex,

Hope you're having some good fun in SA. I've had a basic tawny from DeKrans (if I spelled it right). A very good tawny and one that had I had it blind would never have thought it was from a country other than Portugal. The Klein Constance was also very tasty and one I'd buy again.

De Krans Wine Cellar?

Yeah thats the place.

And maybe Klein Constantia?

Interestingly, I have just come across bottles of De Krans Tawny and Ruby ports.

£2.30 per bottle.

Sadly, being slightly the worse for wear after having drunk through an imp of LBV, I am not really in a fit state to try either of them and report back my findings. Perhaps another day.

Klein Constantia do not make a port, as far as I know. Their most famous wine is the late harvest Vin de Constance but my personal preference is for a South African port over a VdC.

Alex

I have a bottle of Klein Constantia Vin de Constance but I have also tried and adored their Noble Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc. I picked up a bottle whilst in Jo'burg and it is delightful. Here's a set of TN's

RonnieRoots:

As long as I don't move and think of absolutely nothing, everything is alright... I think I can manage that for the rest of the day...

KillerB:

Anybody up for proper tasting notes? I didn't write a thing down.

Lady Roots:

ehm, forgot to make any TNs

StevieCage:

Klein Constantia 1997 Noble Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc (South Africa): lovely sticky. I recall a very fresh wine, with excellent balance and a distinct touch of black tea…what a treat!

Stevie saves the day again.

Alex - if you have room and can find some please bring another one back. Thanks - Alex.

KillerB: now that brings back memories!

KillerB, that sounded like a really fun trip

If I get the chance to bring one back for you, I will, but I have never seen a Klein Constantia Late Harvest wine (other than the Vin de Constance).

The other small problem that I might face is that I only took a single piece of hand luggage with me and have already bought 6 bottles of South African port...

Alex

No worries Alex - Alex

Derek, you took the words right out of my mouth

No, I mean that I have already purchased 6 bottles of South African port.

Note that this is not and would not be the same as 6 bottles of South African Port.

Perhaps I should start up a thread in meaningless drivel called "Capital Crimes"?

Slightly more seriously, there are some impressive fortified wines made in South Africa using parcel blends from Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cao and other traditional Portuguese Port grape varieties. These can be aged in bottle or barrel and some are very similar to the similar wine made in the Douro - indeed, some winemakers are the same in both places. So don't knock South African ports, some are rubbish but some are very enjoyable. Derek's disdain for it can be likened to his disdain for Cruz 1989 Vintage Port

Alex

Oh no Alex, I would not knock the quality as I've had some and really like them. Just making a little fun of the "port" name they give it...after all real Port come from PORTugal

I managed to find some Cape Vintage (seems to be the name that the producers are giving to their port-style blends these days) from De Kraans, so on Alex' recommendation I bought some.

I also bought a very interesting bottle from 2000 by Bredell. The blurb on the back says that it was kept in 70 year old wooden storage barrels for 2 years and then bottled unfiltered and is expected to improve in the bottle for at least 10 years. Tom would be proud of the seal as it is a huge lump of very drippily applied red sealing wax.

Alex