Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2009

Lively energetic mousse forms a crown of bubbles in the glass. On the nose Kaapse Vonkel shows lively floral and Chardonnay citrus fruit which is greatly complimented by red berry flavours from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. On the palate the wine shows elegant yeasty flavours with great finesse on the finish.

Style of Wine: A delicate sophisticated Cap Classique with delicious flavour intensity.

As an aperitif the Kaapse Vonkel will add sparkle to any celebration. Delicious with fresh oysters or paté. Excellent with lighter soup courses and ideal to accompany dessert as it is perfect for cleaning the palate. Hard to find a better wine to add excitement to your sushi.

variety : Pinot Noir [ 55% Pinot Noir, 43% Chardonnay, 2% Pinot Meunier ]
winemaker : Johan Malan
wine of origin : Western Cape
analysis : alc : 12.53 % vol  rs : 8 g/l  pH : 3.35  ta : 7.3 g/l  
type : Sparkling  style : Dry  
pack : Bottle  closure : Cork  

AWARDS
2009 2013 International Wine and Spirit Competition - Gold
2008 2011 Platter's Wine Guide: 4 stars
2007 Veritas 2009: Silver medal
Cap Classique Challenge 2009 Winner: Award for Best Vintage, Award for Best Overall
2006 Veritas 2009: Silver medal; 2008 Platter’s Guide: 4 stars; 2007 Wine Magazine Cap Classique Challenge: 3.½ stars
2005 Weinwirtschaft Magazine, Germany: Ranked under the Top 3 International Sparkling
wines in 2006; 2007 Wine Magazine Cap Classique Challenge: 4 stars; 2007 Veritas: Silver Medal
2008 Veritas: Silver Medal; 1.5L: 2009 Veritas: Silver Medal
2003 2004 Perswijn Competition held in Scheveningen, Netherland: Best Sparkling Wine
in Category: Non-Champagne

ageing : Kaapse Vonkel is ready to drink upon release. The 2009 has all the attributes to gain in richness and complexity for 4 - 6 years.

in the vineyard : Heritage
Frans Malan, the founder of Simonsig, was the first producer of Méthode Champenoise in South Africa when he pioneered Cap Classique in 1971. Kaapse Vonkel became the first Cap Classique to use all three of the classic grape varieties used in Champagne when Pinot Meunier was introduced in 1997. It is, like Pinot Noir, a red grape variety with delicious aromatic fruit flavours and blossoms early in the evolution of the wine.

Vintage Description
The 2009 vintage brought memories of the classic 1966 surf movie, The Endless Summer, as it was a year with near perfect weather and there was no end to the balmy sundrenched days deep into April. Winemakers were excited about the exceptional quality of the vintage from the beginning of the 2009 harvest. Harvest started on 20 January with Pinot Noir for Kaapse Vonkel Cap Classique. The harvest was similar to last year for all Cap Classique grapes. Pinot Noir showed more even ripening with very evenly coloured bunches compared to last year. Ripening was quite slow and sugars rose very gradually. In a good vintage the Chardonnays can be picked riper without losing the crisp acidity. In 2009 some Chardonnay's were picked at 20.8° Balling with acidity still higher than 11 g/l. The extra ripeness brings more intense tropical and citrus fruit.

in the cellar : All the grapes are hand picked in small bins and whole bunch pressed in gentle action pneumatic presses. Juice is fractioned in a cuvee and a first pressing. After one to two days settling the juice is fermented at about 15° – 16° C. A significant portion of the Chardonnay is fermented in older French oak for more complexity. Some Chardonnay goes through Malolactic Fermentation.

find our wines in :

OTHER VINTAGES

Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay