2019 Olifantsberg Soul of the Mountain The Bull

Less than an hour's drive from Cape Town, in the heart of the South African wine region of Breedekloof, lies Olifantsberg Family Vineyards. This small, five-hectare estate has been owned by the Dutch Leeuwerik family since 2003. The vineyards of Olifantsberg are located on the slopes of the Brandwacht Mountains. Thanks to the high altitude and the almost constant 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 organically fertilized 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 skin maceration follows and the grapes are fermented. After this, they are matured in oak barrels, of which approximately one third is renewed annually. The wines of Olifantsberg are therefore perfectly balanced with nicely dosed oak in the aroma and taste.

Good wine comes from good vineyards and not from a chemistry box and is the motto of winemaker Elizma. In Breedekloof there is also the advantage that the lower temperatures in the microclimate ensure better acidity and more aromatic grapes. The vineyards grow on shale, schist and sandstone soils with an underlying clay layer. The fine balance and mineral-rich composition of our soils are reflected in the elegance and complexity of the fruit they produce. The complexity of this wine lies in the collection of 15 different vineyards on the Olifantsberg. Long, soft extractions are used with an average of 30% whole bunches in open fermenters. Each parcel is kept separate during fermentation. Depending on the desired extraction, both pump-overs and punch-downs are used. Lightly toasted barrels of 500 and 300 liters are used for maturation. The blend is assembled after each component has been matured separately in oak for 7 months and the blend is matured for a further 6 months before being bottled in 10% new French oak.

The Soul of the Mountain The Bull is a typical Rhone wine with a blend of: 42% Syrah, 22% Carignan, 20% Mourvèdre and 16% Grenache. In the glass, The Bull has a full red color with notes of sultry, ripe, dark fruit, black cherries in the nose. In the mouth, the wine is full bodied with black fruit, firm, licorice, rosemary, firm tannins without being heavy. Perfect balance between fruit, acidity and alcohol. Delicious with game dishes, grilled meat, stews, mature and old Dutch cheese.

FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose Pick up in Checkout page. We are located almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.