Koen Roose is a qualified engineer and former sommelier with a clear vision for the wines he creates. A Belgian native, he now farms a hilltop vineyard in the heart of Elgin, South Africa, where he planted vines in the early 2000s.
His wines are a beautiful expression of his European heritage, while also showcasing the unique terroir of Spioenkop. Koen is deeply involved in every step of the winemaking process, from planting and tending to the vines, to crafting the wine itself.
Roose is passionate about the cool-climate growing conditions of Elgin, believing they impart exceptional longevity to his wines. This is why some of his current releases are four years old. His signature Riesling, which he calls “The Queen of Grapes,” is a prime example of his philosophy. He aims to craft an elegant Riesling that balances delicate floral notes with intense richness of fruit.
The winery is situated at a high altitude in Elgin, on rugged, rocky soils—conditions that add complexity and depth to his wines, reflecting both his meticulous approach and the region’s distinctive character.
The Wines:
R1,995.00Original price was: R1,995.00.R1,895.25Current price is: R1,895.25.Add to basket
On the nose fine mineral fragrances of ferricrete soil, charcoal and ginger with unripe pineapple, white stone fruit and fennel with strong undertones of quince and lemon. The palate has the typical Spioenkop waxy mouthfeel. A dry, steely Riesling with a nice richness.
“Some smoky reduction, a touch of petrol, lime, white peach and green apple on the nose. The palate is rich and creamy in texture but equally there’s a big acidity and the finish is nicely dry. Still very youthful and rather forceful, this perhaps lacks a little of the composure of the previous vintage.”
This Chenin is part of Spioenkop’s earlier drinking ‘1900’ range. The pale lemon straw colour is matched with a clean linear fruit purity of fruit. This beautifully balanced wine has an intense core and an elegant, crisp and fresh acidity.
“Two-thirds fermented in older oak, one-third in tank, maturation lasting 12 months. Quince, peach, apricot, wet wool and earth on the nose while the palate shows dense fruit and punchy acidity, the finish savoury. A super-tasty, striking wine.”
The Chenin Blanc vineyard on Spioenkop is situated on one of the protruding “fingers” of the hill upon which the farm sits. The upper portion is on koffieklip (ferricrete) and the lower portion on shale. The Sarah Raal comes from the smaller top section of this vineyard and is the brighter and more delicate of the two.
“The grapes for Sarah Rall have always been from a vineyard on ferricrete, but those that used to go into the Johanna Brandt bottling off shale soils have also been included since 2020. Floral perfume, herbs, peach and citrus on the nose. The palate is nicely restrained with pure fruit and racy acidity before a dry finish.”
Pinot Noir is winemaker Koen’s passion project, a wine that he does not make every year but adores. This is subtle Pinot Noir delivering delicate ripe plum, black cherries and red forrest berries. A lovely backbone structure with black pepper, rhubarb and pomegrante complexity to it.
“Matured for 11 months in 500-litre barrels, 30% new. Cherry, plum, beetroot and a touch of orange on the nose. The palate is rich and round with moderate acidity and tannins that are soft and already quite resolved. flavourful enough.”
Spioenkop | December 2024 Release
Koen Roose is a qualified engineer and former sommelier with a clear vision for the wines he creates. A Belgian native, he now farms a hilltop vineyard in the heart of Elgin, South Africa, where he planted vines in the early 2000s.
His wines are a beautiful expression of his European heritage, while also showcasing the unique terroir of Spioenkop. Koen is deeply involved in every step of the winemaking process, from planting and tending to the vines, to crafting the wine itself.
Roose is passionate about the cool-climate growing conditions of Elgin, believing they impart exceptional longevity to his wines. This is why some of his current releases are four years old. His signature Riesling, which he calls “The Queen of Grapes,” is a prime example of his philosophy. He aims to craft an elegant Riesling that balances delicate floral notes with intense richness of fruit.
The winery is situated at a high altitude in Elgin, on rugged, rocky soils—conditions that add complexity and depth to his wines, reflecting both his meticulous approach and the region’s distinctive character.
The Wines:
R1,995.00Original price was: R1,995.00.R1,895.25Current price is: R1,895.25.Add to basketSpioenkop December 2024 Mixed Case
** 5% Discount + FREE delivery
Included in this case is:
Riesling 2020
‘1900’ Chenin Blanc 2020
‘Sarah Raal’ Chenin Blanc 2021
Pinot Noir 2021
‘1900’ Syrah 2019
Pinotage 2021
R325.00Add to basket
Spioenkop Riesling 2020
On the nose fine mineral fragrances of ferricrete soil, charcoal and ginger with unripe pineapple, white stone fruit and fennel with strong undertones of quince and lemon. The palate has the typical Spioenkop waxy mouthfeel. A dry, steely Riesling with a nice richness.
“Some smoky reduction, a touch of petrol, lime, white peach and green apple on the nose. The palate is rich and creamy in texture but equally there’s a big acidity and the finish is nicely dry. Still very youthful and rather forceful, this perhaps lacks a little of the composure of the previous vintage.”
93 Points – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
R265.00Add to basket
Spioenkop '1900' Chenin Blanc 2020
This Chenin is part of Spioenkop’s earlier drinking ‘1900’ range. The pale lemon straw colour is matched with a clean linear fruit purity of fruit. This beautifully balanced wine has an intense core and an elegant, crisp and fresh acidity.
“Two-thirds fermented in older oak, one-third in tank, maturation lasting 12 months. Quince, peach, apricot, wet wool and earth on the nose while the palate shows dense fruit and punchy acidity, the finish savoury. A super-tasty, striking wine.”
94 Points – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
R400.00Add to basket
Spioenkop 'Sarah Raal' Chenin Blanc 2021
The Chenin Blanc vineyard on Spioenkop is situated on one of the protruding “fingers” of the hill upon which the farm sits. The upper portion is on koffieklip (ferricrete) and the lower portion on shale. The Sarah Raal comes from the smaller top section of this vineyard and is the brighter and more delicate of the two.
“The grapes for Sarah Rall have always been from a vineyard on ferricrete, but those that used to go into the Johanna Brandt bottling off shale soils have also been included since 2020. Floral perfume, herbs, peach and citrus on the nose. The palate is nicely restrained with pure fruit and racy acidity before a dry finish.”
93 Points – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
R290.00Add to basket
Spioenkop Pinot Noir 2021
Pinot Noir is winemaker Koen’s passion project, a wine that he does not make every year but adores. This is subtle Pinot Noir delivering delicate ripe plum, black cherries and red forrest berries. A lovely backbone structure with black pepper, rhubarb and pomegrante complexity to it.
“Matured for 11 months in 500-litre barrels, 30% new. Cherry, plum, beetroot and a touch of orange on the nose. The palate is rich and round with moderate acidity and tannins that are soft and already quite resolved. flavourful enough.”
91 Points – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
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