Charles Fox current releases

Charles and Zelda Fox purchased an Elgin fruit farm in 2005 with a view to specializing in the production of Cap Classique. A cellar was built in 2010 and production has grown from an intial 5 000 bottles to 35 000 bottles today – current plantings consist of 4.7ha of Chardonnay, 3.3ha of Pinot Noir and 1.4ha of Pinot Meunier.

Charles Fox Brut Reserve NV
Price: R195
40% Pinot Noir, 33% Pinot Meunier and 27% Chardonnay. 24 months on the lees. Pear, peach, strawberry and biscuit on the nose. Rich with bright acidity and a soft mousse.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Charles Fox Brut Reserve Rosé NV
Price: R210

52% Pinot Noir, 31% Chardonnay and 17% Pinot Meunier. 24 months on the lees. Raspberry, strawberry and some earthiness on the nose. The palate has good fruit intensity, bright acidity and a fine mousse, the finish nicely savoury.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Charles Fox Vintage Brut 2016
Price: R290

38% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier and 27% Chardonnay. 60 months on the lees. Citrus, white peach, a little reduction and hard-to-describe yeasty complexity on the nose. Good fruit purity, lively acidity and a fine mousse. Intricate with a pleasingly linearity about it, the finish long and dry.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Charles Fox Vintage Rosé 2015
Price: R300

47% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 23% Meunier. 10% wood used for the red wine component. 60 months on the lees. Some red cherry and raspberry but rather more earthy, spice aromas to the fore. Rich and broad with a creamy mousse and a gently savoury finish – appears rather developed already.

CE’s rating: 88/100.

Charles Fox Blanc de Blancs 2017
Price: R425

100% Chardonnay. 60 months on the lees. The nose shows peach and citrus but also lots of bread-like and nutty notes and even a touch of marmite. Rich and broad with a creamy mousse.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Charles Fox Cipher Blanc de Noir 2017
Price: R545  

65% Pinot Noir and 35% Pinot Meunier. 60 months on the lees. Red cherry, strawberry and some autolytic complexity on the nose. The palate is pure and fresh with a fine, energetic mousse. Wonderfully focused.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Charles Fox Coeur de Cuvée 2016
Price: R735

50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Meunier. 72 months on the lees. Yellow and red fruit, some yeasty complexity and spice on the nose while the palate is rich and layered with well-integrated acidity and a creamy mousse. Only 600 bottles made.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Charles Fox Gold Reserve Extra Dry NV
Price: R180

44% Pinot Noir, 34% Pinot Meunier and 22% Chardonnay. RS is 16.7g/l. Stone fruit and biscuit on the nose while the palate is full with a creamy mousse. Lacks a little nuance but sound enough.

CE’s rating: 89/100.

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