2016 Spioenkop Pinotage x 6 bottles 750ml

Estimate

R2,700 - R3,700

Hammer

R3,200

2016 Spioenkop Pinotage x 6 bottles 750ml

More Information

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.

The winemaking philosophy here is low intervention and allowing the wine to have a voice without putting technology and an interfering winemaker in the way. Biodynamic principles have been adopted though they have not sought certification. The winemaker wants a vineyard in rude health, dry farmed and untrammelled by artificial fertiliser, pesticides and herbicides and where working on foot and by hand are the order of the day. They call it balance; ‘balance in the wines, balance in the winery and balance in the terroir’. Koen is obsessive about the relationship of his vines with the environment and the work that he has done and continues to do to get the best from them.

"100% own grapes. 30% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 15 months in barrel, 60% new. Quite a heady mix of black cherry, flowers and earth plus a little oak spice on the nose. Really dense on the palate – impressive fruit purity, fresh acidity and quite firm tannins. Seems a little richer and riper than 2015." - Christian Eedes, winemag.co.za 92/100

Decanter 92/100