Olifantsberg Grenache Noir 2022

Kleur: helder lichtrood
Geur: open en aantrekkelijk, rood fruit, rijpe bessen, tikje kruidig, witte peper
Smaak: soepel, zacht en sappig, heel veel fruit, fijne kruidigheid, zachte tannines
Houdbaar: op dronk, minimaal houdbaar tot eind 2030
Lekker bij: BBQ, (licht) belegen kazen, stevige vis, gevogelte. Iets gekoeld drinken zo rond de 15 graden.

Vineyard
The vineyard is located on the slopes of the Olifantsberg mountain where it endures wide diurnal temperature differences and strong winds, at altitudes from 250 to 450 metres above sea level. 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 sandstone with shale and quartz adding freshness and minerality to the wine.

Winemaking
Within each clone we stagger our pickings times. Small batch fermentations take place in open top fermenters. A portion of whole bunches are included, sometimes up to a 100%. The rest of the berries are not crushed but kept whole. Soft punch downs are performed for long gentle extraction. Some batches will go through extended maceration on the skins to enhance the tannin structure of the final wine. All the components are basket pressed and aged for 9 months in seasoned French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel. No racking takes place after Malo, the wine matures on its lees. Each batch is carefully selected and blended to compliment the final product and aged for a further 2 months in barrel. Only 500 and 300L barrels are used.

Beoordelingen

Tim Atkin 93/100
More Spanish than French in style according to Elimza Visser, Olifantsberg’s Grenache is another impressive bottling from this increasingly impressive Breedekloof winery. Fermented with 30% whole clusters before ageing in older barrels, it partners rose petal and fynbos aromas with a palate of cranberry, raspberry and pomegranate, understated oak and a backdrop of savoury tannins. 2024-30

Platter’s 93/100 ****(*)
Complex harvesting & vinification, including some wholebunch in the small-batch ferments. 10 months older oak. Result is perfumed, pure-fruited 2022, with elegant but substantial seriousness, succulence, subtler tannins than previously. Deliciously rewarding now, should develop.