Olifantsberg new releases

By , 23 December 2020

Owned by the Dutch couple Paul and Corine Leeuwerik, Breedekloof property Olifantsberg Family Vineyards was established in the mid-2000s. Elizma Visser has been winemaker since 2015 and the portfolio of wines continues to grow in stature. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Olifantsberg Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2018
Price: R115
From a 1982 vineyard. Fermented in a combination of foudre, older oak barrels and stainless steel tank. The nose shows some floral perfume before pear and peach while the palate is clean and fresh – not hugely complex but entirely charming.

CE’s rating: 88/100.

Olifantsberg Lark Chenin Blanc 2018
Price: R210
Matured in mainly older French and Hungarian oak barrels as well as foudre. Aromatics of peach and apricot as well as some earthiness and a little yeasty complexity. The palate has good fruit density with moderate acidity and a gently savoury finish. Broad and creamy.

CE’s rating: 89/100.

Buy This Wine

Olifantsberg Grenache Blanc 2018
Price:  R210

A hint of reduction before citrus and peach plus a subtle herbal note on the nose while the palate shows pure fruit and bright acidity before a pithy finish. Good concentration and focus.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Buy This Wine

Olifantsberg Blanc 2018
Price:  R220
55% Roussanne, 34% Grenache Blanc and 11% Chenin Blanc. A low-key waxy note before citrus and stone fruit plus hints of dried herbs and spice. The palate has good richness and depth without being syrupy thanks to nicely integrated acidity while the finish is gently savoury. Intricate and rewarding.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Olifantsberg Grenache Noir 2018
Price: R210
Some whole-bunch fermentation. Aromatics of red cherry, a hint of rose, dried herbs and spice while the palate is light and fresh with fine, powdery tannins making for a very dry finish. Elegant and understated.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Buy This Wine

Olifantsberg Pinotage 2018
Price:  R155
Winemaking involving whole berry, open-top fermentation. A hint of reduction before raspberry, cherry and spice while the palate is light-bodied with pure fruit, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Plenty of energy and very more-ish.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Olifantsberg Syrah 2017
Price: R160

Some flinty reduction before red and black berries, a hint of olive, earth and pepper. Good fruit density, fresh acidity and soft tannins – flavourful and accessible.

CE’s rating: 90/100.

Olifantsberg Silhouette 2016 (27% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 24% Carignan and 24% Mourvèdre) rated 88 in the Prescient Signature Red Blend Report earlier this year – see here.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.

Attention: Reviews like this take time and effort to create. We need your support to make our work possible. To make a financial contribution, click here. Invoice available upon request – contact info@winemag.co.za

Comments

0 comment(s)

Please read our Comments Policy here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Like our content?

Show your support.


Subscribe