The Franschhoek region of South Africa, a near neighbour of Stellenbosch, may be small but it has a heavy French influence and a big reputation for producing some of the finest wines in the country. Cool breezes in the hot summer months moderate growing conditions to produce ripe but balanced wines, a half-way house between the Old and New World in style and structure.
The Cape Chamonix Wine Farm, situated high above the fertile Franschhoek valley has a long history, once forming part of the historic Huguenot Estate which dates back to 1688. Over the past two decades, Chamonix has stormed onto the world stage as an award-winning winery, driven by a philosophy of minimal intervention and environmentally conscious farming methods.
The Winecroft featured red wine for June is the 2018 Cape Chamonix Pinot Noir Reserve. This wonderful Pinot shows a ruby red colour, with notes of cherry, wild red berries, crushed black pepper and violets on the nose. Although firm in structure and intense in flavour, textures are mellow and round with opulence and significant length.
It is on the wine list at Northcote, the Michelin-starred restaurant in Langho, rural Lancashire, at the heart of the Ribble Valley.
