2019 Olifantsberg Grenache Noir

Olifantsberg Family Vineyards is less than an hour's drive from Cape Town, in the middle of South Africa's Breedekloof wine region. This small, five-hectare wine estate has been owned by the Dutch Leeuwerik family since 2003. The vineyards of Olifantsberg lie on the slopes of the Brandwacht Mountains. Thanks to the high altitude and the almost constantly blowing wind, there is a cool microclimate. Ideal conditions for the production of top quality grapes! The vineyard is worked with respect for nature. The vines are fertilized organically and the yield in the vineyard is deliberately kept low. All this with the aim of harvesting optimally ripe, healthy and concentrated grapes of high quality. After the manual harvest, these grapes are taken to the newly built vinification cellar. Here too, winemaker Elizma Visser lets nature do its work. After crushing the grapes, a traditional soaking of skins follows and the grapes are fermented. After this they are aged in oak barrels on its own lees, about a third of which is renewed annually. The wines of Olifantsberg are therefore perfectly balanced with beautiful, very dosed oak in aroma and taste.

The Olifantsberg Grenache Noir is a beautiful South African Grenache. In the glass it has an almost Pinot Noir-like bright light red color. Open and attractive with red fruits such as red cherry, strawberry, a little raspberry and red ripe berries, slightly spicy. In the mouth, the Grenache Noir is smooth, soft and juicy, lots of fruit, fine spiciness with soft tannins. This wine comes into its own when it is drunk slightly chilled (15 degrees)

Winelife *** (highest rating):
“Taste pure Grenache? Here you have it in all its glory. So with all its warmth, ripe red fruit, just enough spiciness and mild acidity for a juicy aftertaste.”

I love Food & Wine:
I fell for this delectable Grenache from South Africa. This is pure Grenache, in all its full, refined glory. So with warmth, ripe red fruit, just enough spiciness and mild acids for a juicy aftertaste. enjoy a glass without a drink first, then pair it with roasted vegetables, fried white fish or poultry. It comes from the slate soils in Breedekloof, from the slopes of the Brandwacht mountain range.

90 points – Tim Atkin 2018
91 points – WineMag.co.za 2019