Noble Hill, Simonsberg (Coastal Region, South Africa) 2020

 Winemaker and owner Kristopher Tillery expanded his family’s vineyard and restaurant into the Noble Hill winery, sourcing all his wine from estate grown grapes.  The property is old with a number of buildings and the family found old keys in the most random places on the property.  Kristopher used the keys to symbolize the cultivar, or varietal, on his labels with each cultivar being given a specific key.  On this Blanc de Blanc, the Chardonnay key is used to show that the wine is made with only Chardonnay.  This South African Cap Classique’s bright acidity is perfect for a sparkling wine.  In addition, the wine’s wet chalk, red apple, pear, and almond croissant notes are exceptional and exactly what I look for in a high-end Sparkling wine.  At $30, this wine’s flavors and quality well outperforms its price point.