The Oldenburg Vineyards Grenache Noir 2014 is the first to be made and bottled exclusively from Banhoek fruit.

Grenache Noir is generally seen as a grape better suited to hot, inland climates, so the cooler slopes of the Banhoek Valley may not be seen as the obvious choice for this grape. However, Oldenburg Cellarmaster Philip Costandius believes there is a growing interest in wines with elegance and poise, and this particularly applies to grapes such as Grenache Noir which have a reputation for making full-bodied, alcoholic wines.  

 The Oldenburg Vineyards Grenache Noir 2014 is made from bushvine fruit harvested at low yields of around 6 tonnes per hectare. Half of each bunch was removed just after the fruit set in order to improve concentration of both flavour and colour. The wine was aged for 20 months in 300-litre French oak barrels, 50% new and the rest second-fill. The result is a sturdy wine with plenty of ripe berry fruit and a savoury, earthy edge. Supple tannins and subtle spice complete this very food-friendly wine which Cellarmaster Philip recommends will go well with a rustic lamb bredie or stew.

 The Oldenburg Grenache Noir 2014 is available from the cellar door at R250.00 a bottle.

For further information, visit the Oldenburg website oldenburgvineyards.com.