heritage in a bottle W
Spotlight on The Kruger Family Reserve Range
hen Stellenview Premium Wines founder, winemaker and entrepreneur, Reino Kruger established the brand in 2009 (primarily for export markets to the Far East) it made perfect sense to pay homage to his family with one of the ranges, namely the Kruger Family Reserve wines. The Kruger Family heritage dates back to the early 1700’s with the first settlers to South Africa. The wines in the range, which comprise a Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz , Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are complex and elegant. The Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Chardonnay represent the best fruit, meticulously vinified and aged in oak barrels with very little intervention, while the Sauvignon Blanc is unwooded with extended lees contact.
Made from 100% Shiraz grapes, the Kruger Family Reserve Shiraz 2017 is part of an
award-winning lineage, scooping the Trophy for the Best Shiraz at the 2021 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards. The wine is best described as being a dark plum colour with aromas of liquorice and hints of white pepper on the nose. On the palate the wine is fruity with firm tannins, which add body to the end result. Another stellar wine in the range also racking up the awards is the Kruger Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, which earlier this year was named the South African Wine of the Year as well as a Double Gold at the China Wine & Spirit Awards. Dark red in colour with aromas of vanilla and coconut, perfectly complemented by blueberry flavours. These flavours carry through onto the palate with a fine tannin structure, and fruity finish. Gone are the days when you turned your nose up when offered a Chardonnay, because South Africa has been producing some stellar wines of late, and the Kruger Family Reserve Chardonnay 2017 no doubt has a place on this stage. Reino describes this wooded Chardonnay as being a pale straw colour with aromas of citrus, creamy oak, butter and flint. The creamy texture follows through onto the palate with an elegant finish, resulting in a medium to full bodied wine. Last but by no means least in this impressive range is the Kruger Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020, a Double Gold winner at the 2021 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards. The wine has aromas of ginger and pineapple, intermingled with fynbos flavours. As you take a sip you immediately think of the wine as being vibrant and fresh, with hints of granadilla, ripe apple and pear.
The range is available to purchase online at www.stellenviewwines.com or www.wineofthemonth.co.za
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