Spioenkop December 2024 Mixed Case

100% Riesling. Elgin WO

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.

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.

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

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 chenins that Koen produces.

A one-off wine made from a neighbour's fruit. There remains one "finger" of land to plant on Spioenkop - could Syrah possibly be the right choice? This is characteristic of Koen's other red wines; perfumed, subtle and bright. A pure joy.

Along with the Riesling, it has been the Spioenkop Elgin Pinotage that has shaped Koen's and Spioenkop's international reputations for years.

"Koen Roose likes to do things a little differently, which is why he makes Pinotage in Elgin, well outside the variety's comfort zone. Youthful, stony, fresh and intense, this has some stony reduction, flavours of cranberry, raspberry and pink grapefruit and beautifully judged tannins."
Tim Atkin 93/100

"Top notes of herbs and floral perfume before red currant, cherry and cassis. The palate shows pure fruit, racy acidity and powdery tannins – complex and exact. A lot of wine despite an alcohol of just 12.5%."
Christian Eedes, Winemag 94/100.