Olifantsberg Silhouette 2013

Olifantsberg is a property on the outskirts of Worcester acquired by businessman Paul Leeuwerik from the Netherlands in the 2000s and the wines as made by Jacques du Plessis (who left for Constantia Uitsig last year) have shown promise. Tasting notes and ratings for the current releases as follows:

Olifantsberg Chenin Blanc 2014
Price: R90
Spontaneous fermentation in tanks and large format barrels. The nose shows cut apple, peach and a hint of leesy complexity. On the palate, it’s medium bodied with moderate acidity. Appealing enough but a bit short of intensity and detail.

#WinemagRating: 88/100.

Olifantsberg Blanc 2014
Price: R145
A blend of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Chardonnay. Some vague notes of apple, stone fruit and spice on a generally shy nose. The wine is quite broad in the mouth before a savoury finish, the wine has intrigue but does not possess quite the same poise and verve as the 2013 vintage.

#WinemagRating: 90/100.

In good shape.

Olifantsberg Silhouette 2013
Wine Cellar price: R185
Best Shiraz-based red blend at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. A blend of 95.9% Syrah, 2.1% Grenache Noir, 1.5% Carignan and 0.5% Mourvèdre. The nose shows a pronounced fynbos note before red and black berries plus some black olive. Pure fruit, lemon-like acidity and “crunchy” tannins makes for particularly characterful drinking.

#WinemagRating: 92/100.

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