2022 Olifantsberg Grenache Blanc

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 Jacques de Plessis 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 on his own lees of which about a third is renewed annually. The wines of Olifantsberg are therefore perfectly balanced with beautiful very dosed oak in smell and taste.

Only a handful of bottles of Olifantsberg Grenache Blanc are made and this is an almost Hermitage/Rhône-like wine with Priorat hints as a result of the slate terroir on which the Grenache grapes grow. Like all Olifantsberg wines, 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 must 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.