Carlonet cultivates cult status
Flagship wine for nearly six decades
The Cape winelands offer infinite possibilities to a holiday maker seeking a bit of a respite from the fast-paced city life to the calmer countryside charm combining sightseeing escapades with palate-pleasing adventure.
The allure of the Cape’s beauty lies in its graceful natural charm. Most of its architectural masterpieces are relics of such European cultures as the Dutch, Georgian and French of the early settlers.
Among the most revered ancient landmarks is the Uitkyk wine estate, whose landmark 1788 Georgian manor house is still as solid as it was in its colonial days – and today proudly stands as a centrepiece among the 150 hectares of grapevines famous for producing its iconic Carlonet red-blend wine for decades.
The legacy of Uitkyk revolves around its flagship wine Carlonet, produced with meticulous consistency and scooping many awards in almost six decades of production to cultivate something of a cult status.
Winemaker Estelle Lourens says Carlonet signifies the estate’s dogged pursuit of excellence. “For many, the Uitkyk Carlonet represents a pinnacle of achievement and, as such, has been handed down from each generation of wine lovers to the next.” Hosting a tasting at 54 on Bath Hotel recently, Lourens brought along the 2013 vintage of Carlonet consisting of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a dash of Shiraz – to pair with a dish of beef cheek, the most succulent part of what is called skop (cow’s head) in the townships, along with vegetables and dumplings. The rich sauce in the dish harmonised well with flavours of berries, dried fruit, spices and chocolate in the wine.
To partner the wine, Lourens also recommends steaks, rich oxtail casseroles and pizzas. And, just as delicious, was the pairing of the estate’s award-winning Chenin Blanc 2015 (R75) with the starter of white bean, chorizo and home-made ricotta.
In addition to the Carlonet (R110), Uitkyk also crafts Shiraz, Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc wines of distinction – coupled with the 10 Year Old Uitkyk Grand Reserve Estate Brandy (R489) and Glass Memoires bubbly (R199), both undiscovered gems.