Olifantsberg Pinotage 2020

Kleur: kersenrood
Geur: open en aantrekkelijk, fruitig, pruimen, rood fruit, bessen, licht kruidig
Smaak: zacht en sappig, veel fruit, puur, zachte tannines
Houdbaar: op dronk, minimaal houdbaar tot eind 2026
Lekker bij: BBQ, (licht) belegen kazen, stevige vis, gevogelte. Iets gekoeld drinken zo rond de 15 graden.

Vineyard
The vineyard is located on the fertile slopes of the Olifantsberg Mountain Range where it endures wide diurnal temperature differences and strong winds, at altitude 300 metres above sea level. During the winter the mountain peaks are snow covered, keeping the vines dormant for longer. Cold winters, coupled with the summer winds, ensures the slow ripening of the grapes; helps to maintain healthy vines; and contributes freshness and elegance to the wines. The soils in the vineyard comprise of unique sandy shale with clay subsoil, which lends structure to the final wine. The Pinotage vines are trellised and are farmed in a sustainable manner with supplementary drip irrigation.

Winemaking
Pinotage is a part of our heritage and adds to the authenticity of our cellar. We decided to take a fresh approach to this uniquely South African variety. Whole berry fermentation in open top fermenters. Semi-carbonic fermentation takes place due to the uncrushed berries. Soft techniques were used to extract colour, fruit and tannin. Fermentation temperatures are kept below 28⁰C to preserve the freshness of the grape. Extended maceration on the skins is done up to two weeks for a more balanced tannin structure. A soft pressing takes place after fermentation. Free run and pressed wine kept separate. The wine was aged a further 10 months in seasoned 300l French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel. No racking takes place after Malo, the wine matures on its lees.

Beoordelingen

Tim Atkin: 92/100
Showing the lightness of touch that’s a feature of Elizma Visser’s winemaking style, this emphasises the Pinot Noir side of Pinotage’s DNA. Fine-boned tannins, medium body and scented raspberry and wild strawberry fruit meld enticingly on the palate. 2022-27

Platter’s: ****(*) 90/100
Serious & structured 2020 marginally improves on 2019 (4 stars, 89 pts). Still affable, with raspberry succulence tempered by spice & concentration from wholeberry ferment. Well-knit oak, 10 months, all old.

De Grote Hamersma: 8,5/10
Uitzicht vanaf de Olifantsberg. Op veel sap. Voorzichtig hout. Maalseltje espresso. Mokkaboontje komt om zijn loontje. En krijgt dat van framboos, kersen op sap en volle pruim. Splintertje van de vanillestok. Rookpluimpje aan den einder.