2018 Olifantsberg "The Bull", Breedekloof, Western Cape, South Africa
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ABOUT THIS WINE
“The Bull” is a carefully composed blend led by Syrah, with supporting roles from Grenache, Mourvèdre, and a touch of Carignan—each component sourced from schist- and sandstone-rich slopes in the Breedekloof Valley. The nose opens with brooding aromas of blackberry compote, violets, cracked black pepper, and hints of cured meat. On the palate, it delivers layers of ripe plum, earthy spice, graphite, and a subtle olive tapenade note, grounded by structured tannins and a fresh mineral lift.
The 2019 vintage benefited from cool, slow ripening conditions, enhancing fruit purity and complexity. Grapes were hand-harvested and vinified with minimal intervention. Fermentation took place in small open-top fermenters with partial whole-cluster inclusion, followed by aging in large-format old oak foudres and neutral barrels for 16 months to preserve terroir expression and textural finesse.
Farming is sustainable and largely organic, with a strong focus on soil health and biodiversity. “The Bull” is both a reference to the muscular nature of the wine and a nod to the untamed, wild energy of the Olifantsberg mountains. A natural pairing with grilled lamb, slow-cooked short ribs, or North African-spiced dishes.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Olifantsberg Family Vineyards, perched on the slopes of the Olifantsberg mountain range in the Western Cape’s Breedekloof region, is a boutique estate driven by a philosophy of precision viticulture and minimal-intervention winemaking. Established by the Dutch-based Leeuwerik family, the winery is now led by winemaker Elizma Visser, whose focus on Rhône varieties and cool-climate expression has garnered international acclaim.
The estate farms sustainably, promoting biodiversity through cover cropping, composting, and dry-farming where possible. Their mountain vineyards, characterized by varying altitudes, rocky soils, and wind exposure, yield wines of natural freshness, purity, and structure. Olifantsberg has become a standout in the new wave of South African wine, combining thoughtful farming with a deep respect for site and varietal character.