Big new blend out of the little Karoo

An exciting new red blend was launched at the 20th annual Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival in the Klein Karoo last month, writes Graham Howe

CALITZDORP, known as “the port capital of the Cape”, unveiled a new wave of red wine made from traditional Portuguese varieties well suited to the climate and terroir of the region. Try the big, bold flavours of the Calitzdorp blend — as well as single varietal wines made by eight Karoo cellars from old port varieties. Enjoy these elegant, full-bodied wines with rich winter fare: Axe Hill Machado 2011. Cellar master Mike Neebe crafted this Calitzdorp blend out of three port varieties — Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barocca and Souzao — and added Shiraz. This delightful potpourri of wild herb aromas, rich plum fruit flavours and spicy, vanilla nuances was voted best in class at the Cappa Port & Wine Challenge 2013. Boplaas Ring of Rocks 2012. This seamless blend of Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon with a splash of Tinta Francisca and Souzao is named after the Stonehenge of Calitzdorp — a Boplaas circle of rocks hewn out of the local red stones. An earthy food wine with a savoury core makes a great match for Mediterranean fare. De Krans Tritonia 2011. Named after the colourful flower of the Karoo, Tritonia is a fragrant wine with complex flavours of violets, cloves and rich red berries — and fine, dry tannins. Cellar master Boets Nel shaped this elegant maiden Calitzdorp blend from three signature port varieties — Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barocca and Tinta Roriz. Du’SwaRoo Sirocco Bin 2 2012. Everything is handcrafted on this family farm from vine to bottle to make this stewed compote of wild berry, Karoo scrub and spicy tobacco. Gusting like the hot, dry desert wind, this blend of Shiraz, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Barocca is made from grapes grown on a Calitzdorp koppie. Peter Bayly III 2011. The rich alluvial soils of the tiny vineyard planted on the slopes of the Groenfontein Valley on the outskirts of Calitzdorp yield the Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barocca and Souzao grapes which go into their fortified ports and maiden red wine. The Karoo in a bottle — fynbos, herbs, apricot, spice and succulent fruit flavours. TTT Calitzdorp Collage 2012. Ashley Mason makes this sparky Calitzdorp blend from Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barocca and Souzao grapes grown and made on his TTT (Things Take Time) farm. A bold, robust red blend with Karoo scrub aromas, berry flavours and hints of violets is as rich as Christmas pudding. Woolworths Boplaas The Portuguese Connection 2011. This Calitzdorp blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barocca and Cabernet Sauvignon is packed with juicy black berry fruit. Matured for eight months in second-fill French barrels, the spicy oak and vanilla notes and ripe tannins go well with rich winter grills and piquant cheeses. Boplaas Gamka 2012. Talented winemaker Margaux Nel created this new flagship blend of Touriga Nacional and Shiraz, an innovative synergy which highlights the natural affinity of these two grape varieties. A bold statement wine, it showcases the spicy herbal aromas, intense flavours, vibrant acidity and savoury aspect of both grapes. De Krans Tempranillo 2010. The Calitzdorp cellar makes the only single varietal version of Tempranillo in the country from the key Rioja variety also known as Tinta Roriz in the Douro. Meaning to ripen early (tempra), this grape completes the Portuguese collection in a wine with a blend of creamy fruit, spicy tobacco and vanilla flavours. De Krans Touriga Nacional 2010. The 11th acclaimed vintage of the first single varietal Touriga made in SA by this Calitzdorp cellar in 2000. This multi-award-winning wine expresses the classic qualities of the king of the Douro grapes — in a big fleshy wine with intense flavours of pepper, prunes, plums and spice. Boplaas Tinta Chocolat 2011. One of three Boplaas wines rated in the top 10 at the Cappa Port & Wine Challenge 2013 has plush plum flavours, a velvety milk chocolate palate and a dry, spicy twist. Made from sturdy Tinta Barocca, it has a lovely balance of fresh acidity, fruit and supple tannin — a natural expression of vineyard terroir. De Krans Tinta Mocha 2011. Another of the new wave of coffee and cocoa flavoured wines pioneered by Diemersfontein in Wellington expresses the natural plum and mulberry flavours of this grape variety with an intense mocha choco twist. Fans should also try their moreish Original Espresso, a fortified Tinta and Touriga blend