R1,800 - R4,000
2016 Spioenkop Johanna Brandt Chenin Blanc
x 6 bottles 750ml
PLEASE NOTE THIS WINE IS IN JOHANNESBURG
A qualified industrial engineer, “crazy Belgian” Koen learned to make wine at L’Avenir before embarking with his wife Lore on the long search for their own farm. Historically an apple growing region Elgin is now regarded as a premium vine growing area.
300m above sea level, at Spioenkop cooling sea breezes funnel down the valley which prolongs the growing period. Slopes are steep so no tractor can operate and there are 7 different soil structures on the farm. Each cultivar is planted on a different soil all of which are quite stony and make the vines work hard. Their first wines were bottled in 2010.
Spioenkop debuted two new look and style Chenin Blancs in 2016 made with grapes sourced entirely from the farm. Roose is paying homage to the Anglo Boer War and the role played by women in that war, with his two new Chenin Blanc wines named Johanna Brandt, a wooded Chenin Blanc, and Sarah Raal , and unwooded Chenin Blanc. Brandt was the petticoat commando lauded as a visionary, prophet, spy and writer with political influence and who organised women to spy on the British officers and hid prisoners who were on the run. Says Belgian born Roose: “Her vision and mentality fit perfectly with the style of wine that is named after her. She was smart and feminine with a wild side and that’s the style of wine I want to make with this wine. Her surname means ‘fire’ in English and fire brings me back to the toasting of barrels, so it helps wine lovers to remember the difference between the two women (wooded and unwooded).
Hand picked grapes in small 18kg boxes, one night in the cool store and then destemmed and slightly crushed. 4h juice extraction/skin-contact in a red fermentor. The grape-skins were slowly pressed in a stainless steel basket press. Aged for 11 months on fine lees in older French barrels.
‘Johanna Brandt was a leader of the “pettitcoat commando” during the Boer War, emphasising Spioenkop’s links with the conflict. Sourced from shale soils, it sees 30% new oak and has plenty of concentration, with apple and quince fruit, some baking spices and thrilling minerality. 2018-24’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2017, 94/100
Platter Wine Guide 4.5 Stars
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:| 1 to 10000: | 23% inc VAT* |
| 10001+: | 19.55% inc VAT* |
| 1 to 10000: | 23% inc VAT* |
| 10001+: | 19.55% inc VAT* |
