| Jan Boland Coetzee's Profile |
| Cellar: |
(Vriesenhof) |
| Tel: |
021 880 0284 |
| Fax: |
021 880 1503 |
| Website: |
www.vriesenhof.co.za |
| |
send e-mail |
| Postal: |
PO Box 155
Stellenbosch
7599 |
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 A solid partnership with nature is the only way to describe the interaction between the soil, the vine and the
winemaking skills of Jan Boland Coetzee.
Revered as a former rugby legend, Jan graduated in Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch and started his winemaking career at Kanonkop in 1967. In 1980 he bought the Vriesenhof farm and after releasing his 1981 vintage, spent a season working intensively in Burgundy with the prestigious House of Joseph Drouhin in the vineyards and cellars. Until recently Jan consulted to several of the Cape's finest cellars lending his specialized and respected knowledge to other winegrowers.
Jan's philosophy is that 'life is an ever learning journey', he still visits European wineries regularly and employs French students during harvest times to broaden his knowledge and stimulate discussions on the quality of wine!
In 1992 a joint venture was established with the owners of Talana Hill, a single vineyard. Today these two farms in the Paradyskloof Valley are being farmed as a unit called VRIESENHOF VINEYARDS and produce 3 wine ranges: Vriesenhof,
Talana Hill and Paradyskloof.
Jan is one of the senior statesmen of the Cape wine industry and is impervious to wine fashion. His individually styled wines have a distinct character and quality.
A traditionalist by nature, he has laboured diligently to maintain the Cape style with which he has long been associated.
"Wine is a mirror of the environment first".
| Auction Wines |
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| Vriesenhof Cabernet Franc 2002 |
100% Cabernet Franc This wine is a mix of 6 different clones from our cabernet franc vineyard at Vriesenhof. Bunch selection and berry selection took place before fermentation. The wine underwent alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in new wood from Bordeaux coopers and was bottled after 18 months in barrel. Tasting note: A medium-bodied wine with firm berry and cassis aromas as well as a little charring at the back. On the palate, the wine shows firm elegant fruit with the wood as the support base. |
| Auction Year: 2004 |
| Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2001 |
The second vintage of our Pinot Noir, selected from very specific clones from two soil types, carefully blended to define this “own identity wine” from the 2001 vintage. The second vintage of our Pinot Noir selected from very specific clones from two soil types, carefully blended to define this “own identity wine” from the 2001 vintage. |
| Auction Year: 2002 |
| Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2003 |
This wine is a blend of clone 777 (60%) and clone 115 (40%), fermented in open fermenters with the cap pushed back into the juice 4-5 times per day. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation was completed in new Burgundian barrels for 9 months prior to bottling. The wine was bottled in December 2003
Tasting Notes
76 cases of this wine were on Auction in 2004. It still shows a little charring on the aroma although the wood is now well integrated. The strong earthly forest floor character with a little dampness and pine needles is very prominent on the palate. The finish is well balanced with a soft creaminess and a firm woodiness underpinning the palate (mouthfeel).
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| Auction Year: 2007 |
| Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2003 |
Punching down the cap during vinification has resulted in a firm wine with high extract, without losing the fragile components of the variety. Made from Pinot Noir clone 777 on Malmesbury shale soil from the top of the hill at Vriesenhof. Long skin contact and completion of alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in new wood to support the Pinot fruit, gave birth to this wine. Tasting Note: Made solely from Pinot Noir clone 777, this wine shows the typical fragile red berry fruitiness (raspberry) on the aroma with a lively, long aftertaste which will improve in time. |
| Auction Year: 2005 |
| Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2003 |
100% Pinot Noir: 40% Clone 115a, 60% Clone 777 Both clones 115a and 777 were fermented in open fermentors and the cap was pushed back into the juice 4-5 times per day. The alcoholic, as well as the malolactic fermentation, was completed in new Burgundian oak and the wine bottled in December 2003. Tasting note: This blend of two clones from granite soil shows a strong earthy, mushroom, forest floor character, with the wood still dominating on the nose. The mouthfeel is broad, soft and creamy and shows firm woodiness which will integrate in time. |
| Auction Year: 2004 |
| Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2003 |
Punching down the cap during vinification has resulted in a firm wine with high extract, without losing the fragile components of the variety. Made from Pinot Noir clone 777 on Malmesbury shale soil from the top of the hill at Vriesenhof. Long skin contact and completion of alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in new wood to support the Pinot fruit, gave birth to this wine. 76 cases of this wine were sold at the 2005 Auction.
Tasting Note:
Made solely from Pinot Noir clone 777, this wine shows the typical fragile red berry fruitiness (raspberry) on the aroma with a lively, long aftertaste which will improve in time.
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| Auction Year: 2006 |
| Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2005 |
Alc 13,76 vol% RS 2,3 g/l TA 5,8 g/l pH 3,54
This wine is a 100% clone 115, fermented in open fermenters with the cap pushed back into the juice 4 to 5 times per day. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation were completed in second fill Burgundian barrels for 15 months prior to bottling. 100 cases of this wine were sold at the 2007 CWG Auction.
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| Auction Year: 2008 |
| Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2005 |
This wine is 100% clone 115, fermented in open fermenters with the cap pushed back into the juice 4-5 time per day. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation was completed in second fill Burgundian barrels for 15 months prior to bottling.
Tasting Notes
From the very good 2005 vintage where fruitiness is the main feature of the year! This wine shows a lot of wild berries, spices and gamey earthiness on the aroma (the prominent characteristic of clone 115). Although still young, bright, fresh and fruit driven, this wine could evolve for year to come.
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| Auction Year: 2007 |
| Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2010 |
100% Pinot Noir
This wine is a blend of different clones from the 2010 vintage. A selection of barrels from mainly 777 and 115 from our Pinot Noir vineyards on decomposed granite soils is responsible for the blend.
As the ripening of the clones is very different, the wine was blended after malolactic fermentation in the barrels. Maturation was completed after 13 months in heavy toasted French oak before bottling.
Tasting note: Strong earthy forest floor, pine needles and some dampness are the main features of this wine. In time it will become more balanced and creamy with the wood underpinning the mouthfeel.
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| Auction Year: 2011 |
| Vriesenhof Pinot Noir Clone 777 2009 |
The grapes originate from a small block of Pinot Noir on the highest vineyards on Vriesenhof. Pigeage during open fermentation and completion of both malolactic and alcoholic fermentation in barrel. The wine was matured in French oak for 12 months.
Tasting note: The wine shows bright colour with strong berry aromatics and flavour similar to our 2003 vintage.
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| Auction Year: 2011 |
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