2021 Olifantsberg Grenache Noir

Olifantsberg Family Vineyards is less than an hour's drive from Cape Town, in the middle of the South African wine region Breedekloof. This small five-hectare winery has been owned by the Dutch Leeuwerik family since 2003. The Olifantsberg vineyards are located on the slopes of the Brandwacht Mountains. Thanks to the high location 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 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 skin soaking follows and the grapes are fermented. After this they are aged in oak barrels on its own lees, of which about a third is renewed annually. The wines from Olifantsberg are therefore perfectly balanced with beautiful, very dosed oak in smell 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 fruit such as red cherry, strawberry, a little raspberry and red ripe berries, a little spicy. In the mouth, the Grenache Noir is supple, 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 delicious 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 acidity for a juicy aftertaste. first enjoy a glass without anything on the side and then combine it with roasted vegetables, baked 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