2024 Olifantsberg Old Vine Chenin Blanc

Less than an hour's drive from Cape Town, in the heart of South Africa's Breedekloof wine region, lies Olifantsberg Family Vineyards. This small, five-hectare estate 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 producing top-quality grapes! The vineyard is managed 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, high-quality grapes. After being harvested by hand, these grapes are taken to the newly built vinification cellar. Here, too, winemaker and vineyard expert Elizma Visser lets nature take its course. After crushing the grapes, a traditional maceration process follows, and then the grapes are fermented. They are then aged in oak barrels, approximately one-third of which are replaced annually. This ensures that Olifantsberg wines are perfectly balanced, with a beautifully balanced oak aroma and flavor.

This white wine from Olifantsberg is a wonderfully pure 100% Chenin Blanc. This wine is made in collaboration with farmers from the Breedekloof region who share a love of Chenin. Paul Leeuwerik sought out farmers in the Breedekloof region with very old Chenin Blanc vines, and after careful research, a number of old vineyards situated on the slate-stone terroirs were selected to produce the beautiful and, above all, exceptionally pure Chenin Blanc. Natural fermentation took place in a combination of 2000L Foudres, used barrels, where the wine was aged "sur lie" (on its own lees) for nine months. Starting with the 2021 vintage, Elizma Visser (the winemaker) works exclusively with grapes from old vines, hence the "Old Vine" in the title.

The Chenin Blanc Old Vine Vatgegis from Olifantsberg has a light yellow color with a hint of green. The Chenin Blanc has a wonderfully fresh nose of lime, grapefruit, and mango. On the palate, this white wine from Olifantsberg has a wonderfully juicy, dry citrus flavor. The wine is medium-bodied and ready to drink, but can also easily be cellared for a few more years and will improve even more with age. In our opinion, it's one of the finest Chenin Blancs in its price range, incomparable to mass-produced Chenins and, as Platter says, " ageworthy."

The Great Hamersma: 9-/10
A weighty Chenin Blanc. As you might expect from a winery with such a name. Sourced from old bush vines. Fermented in large oak barrels (2000-liter vats). Matured on lie in French oak. Full-bodied, full-bodied, full-bodied, but without being heavy. Ripe apple, pear, and sweet grapefruit. A touch of honey on peach in cream, a caramel rim, and delicate Chenin acidity. Definitely not a gray mouse.

Perswijn: Chenin Blanc 2017, 16 points
Honey and peach, ripe apple, yellow plum | Structure, depth, elegant and juicy, lovely acidity, youthful.

Platter's: Chenin Blanc 2015, ****
Widely sourced fruit melds into subtle, supple whole. 2015 tropical notes gain earthy, spicy nuances from native ferment in large old oak. Elegantly understated, ageworthy.