Vriesenhof Vineyards based in Stellenbosch, is owned by Jan Coetzee, making classical style wine with fine restraint, that are not often well understood in their youth, yet developed in some of the most intellectual wines after 5 to 7 years in bottle, I have come across, especially their Stellenbosch Pinot Noir from 100% Dijon clone, both the Estate and occasional CWG offerings are drops not to be missed, however this time is their Grenache Noir, that is super exciting, from a food pairings perspectives.
Made from fruit sourced from high plateau (+/- 700 metres above sea level) Piekenierskloof a ward within Citrusdal Mountain district in Olifants River region, home to probably the oldest Grenache Noir vines in South Africa, both wines below were tasted out of magnum!
Both examples are exceptional wine lists candidates and will work wonder with delicate and flavourful meat dishes.
Vriesenhof Vineyards Piekenierskloof Grenache Noir 2009 92 Points
Good typicity, impressive purity with delicately pure red fruit medley, perfectly ripe, spicy and earthy with perfect oaking, long and persistent farewell, hard to resist now, will be even better from 2015+.
Vriesenhof Vineyards Piekenierskloof Grenache Noir 2010 91 Points
Slightly fuller and darker, yet same elegance and purity as 2009, crunchy tannin leading to a savory and tight structure that need +/- 2 years to reveals similar charm to previous vintage, nevertheless a damn fine bottle of Grenache Noir, that is best revisited around 2017+
