2020 Olifantsberg Grenache Blanc

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 Jacques de Plessis 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.

Only a handful of bottles are made of the Olifantsberg Grenache Blanc and this is an almost Hermitage/Rhône-like wine with Priorat touches due to the slate terroir on which the Grenache grapes grow. Like all wines from Olifantsberg, the fermentation takes place here with natural fermentation and takes place in French oak barrels and a foudre, which gives the wine extra complexity. At Olifantsberg, the wines are given time and nature has to do its work, so the Grenache Blanc is also allowed to mature for 10 months on its own lees, which further contributes to the freshness and richness of the wine. The Grenache blanc has a unique style with a lot of finesse. Subtle lime blossoms and green herbs together with peach and quince followed by a richly structured taste and a balanced acidity.

Platters 94/1000 ****(*)
Vibrant 2018 ups the quality on 2017 (92 pts). Ripe stone fruit with lemon tang & savory notes. As with others, complex winemaking: natural ferment, 5% skin & portion in 600L 'egg'. Result is weighty yet lively, layered wine contained in subtle oak frame with lees breadth.

4.5* PLATTER 2019 & 2020 / 91 WINEMAG.CO.ZA 2018 / 93 TIM ATKIN 2018 / 95 TIM ATKIN 2019