A rich heritage
The Lanzerac’s rich heritage dates back to 1692, when Governor Simon van der Stel granted a considerable tract of land in the Jonkershoek Valley to Isaac Schrijver and three freed slaves. These slaves were Manuel and Anthony of Angola, and Louis of Bengal.
The farm received the first of its names, being Schoongezicht, where Schrijver set about planting vineyards. Through the years the farm changed hands, not only changing owners, but being handed down from family member to family member.
Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery (SFW) purchased the Lanzerac trademark in 1958, taking over the management of the vineyards the same year. The company used the grapes, as well as those from other sources, to make the world’s first commercially produced Pinotage – a 1959 vintage.
This Pinotage was released in 1961 and marked the birth of Pinotage as a unique variety from South Africa. After dinner delight De Krans is one of the leading port producers in South Africa.
They continuously produce excellent quality port styles such as White, Ruby, Tawny, Vintage and Vitage Reserve Ports. They have produced eight five-star ports consecutively in the Platter Wine Guide.
Enjoy some of their port this season after dinner as a dessert wine:
De Krans Cape Tawny (R115) is full of flavours of coffee-toffee, hazelnut, cinnamon and raisons in the background. This port gets matured in old barrels for up to nine years and
it’s a blend of different vintages that’s freshened with a small percentage of younger vintage.
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2008 (R250): This wine shows a vibrant plum colour, with dense aromas of prune, spice and tobacco. A fleshy, chewy mouthful of flavours, showing tannic grip, concentrated red fruit nuances, and affirm structure ensuring considerable longevity.
De Krans The Original Cape Pink (R53): In order to build on their tradition of excellence, De Krans made a decision to create a port that is suited to South African conditions and relatively warm climate. De Krans Pink Port is made from traditional port varieties and can be enjoyed well chilled, or on crushed ice as an aperitif with nuts and olives. In the colder months you can serve it at room temperature.
Lanzerac continues today to produce award winning wines like Le Général 2009.
This Cabernet-based blend is a limited selection of only the best red varietals of a particular vintage. Le Général can be best described as having a deep colour offering layers of black and red berry aromas, hints of currant and cacao on the nose, and delivering a well-rounded amalgam of berries and chocolate on the palate that lingers on the aftertaste. It has the potential to mature over a four- to eight-year period.
