2021 Olifantsberg Soul of the Mountain The Bull

Less than an hour's drive from Cape Town, in the heart of the South African Breedekloof wine region, lies Olifantsberg Family Vineyards. This small, five-hectare winery has been owned by the Dutch Leeuwerik family since 2003. The Olifantsberg vineyards are situated on the slopes of the Brandwacht Mountains. Thanks to the high altitude and the almost constant wind, there is a cool microclimate. Ideal conditions for the production of top-quality grapes! Work in the vineyard is carried out with respect for nature. The vines are organically fertilized, and yields in the vineyard are 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. Subsequently, they are aged in oak barrels, of which approximately one-third are renewed annually. As a result, the wines from Olifantsberg are perfectly balanced, with beautifully dosed oak in aroma and taste.

Good wine comes from good vineyards and not from a chemistry set, and that is the motto of winemaker Elizma. In Breedekloof, there is also the added 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 blend of 15 different vineyards on the Olifantsberg. Long, gentle extractions are used, with an average of 30% whole clusters in open fermenters. Each batch is kept separate during fermentation. Depending on the desired extraction, both pump-overs and punch-downs are used. Lightly toasted 500- and 300-liter barrels are used for aging. The blend is created after each component has aged individually in oak for 7 months, and the blend ages for another 6 months before being bottled in 10% new French oak.

The Soul of the Mountain The Bull is a typical Rhône wine with a blend of 42% Syrah, 22% Carignan, 20% Mourvèdre, and 16% Grenache. In the glass, The Bull has a rich red color with notes of luscious, ripe dark fruit and black cherries on the nose. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with black fruit, firmness, licorice, rosemary, and firm tannins without being heavy. Perfect balance between fruit, acidity, and alcohol. Delicious with game dishes, grilled meats, stews, and mature and aged Dutch cheeses.

FUN FACT: The wine is stored in our climate-controlled 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 select "Pick up" on the Checkout page. We are located almost next to the main road with ample parking. Click here for our address.