Tasting notes:

The history of Koelenhof began in 1941 when a group of wine growers formed a cooperative with Pieter Hugo de Vries as their first manager and winemaker. Now headed up by Pieter’s grandson Andrew Smit de Vries, it continues to produce outstanding wines. This one comes from 46-year-old vines grown on Tukulu and Dresden soils over a shale base. Almost opaque purple-black, the wine exhibits intense blackberry, black cherry and damson fruit, with roasted coffee beans and a violet note. Full-bodied and high in alcohol, the palate has dense tannins and slightly citrusy acidity and a black pepper nuance on the lengthy finish. A wine for roast goose spiced with cinnamon, cloves, anise and ginger.  (Patricia Stefanowicz MW)