.: Tasting the wines of Oldenburg

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Tasting the wines of Oldenburg

An invitation to visit and taste the wines at Oldenburg
from Stefan Reinmuth, their Private Client Manager and head Sommelier, was quickly accepted
The farm is in Banghoek, eight kilometres from Stellenbosch, on the road to Franschhoek

To quote them "Off the beaten track, a winding road leads deep into the Banghoek Valley

Our unique location benefits from the confluence of 8 Natural Elements,

creating a distinctive terroir and allowing us to make wines that truly reflect their Place"

We know they produce wines of quality that are often awarded and it had been a while since our last tasting on the farm

with winemaker Nic van Aarde, shortly after he had he first joined them

A very warm welcome from Freda when we arrived; we were seated at a table by the open windows

The tasting room can be closed up tight in bad weather and opened up to nature on good days

Sommelier Gregory Lorimer ably guided us through the wines

A team of sommeliers takes you on the journey to understanding and enjoying the wines

Half way through the tasting, just when we were in need of some sustenance,

this great platter with shaved Gruberg cheese from Klein Rivier, good black olives and crisp crackers

This is complimentary with a tasting. The expanding hand towels in front are supplied to every table

We were to taste several of these wines

Their price list

And should you want to join, they have a wine club, with lots on offer.

Modern Scandinavian is the mood in the airy tasting room with high thatched roofs

The famous Rondeklip hill is the view in front

This round hill, covered in Oldenburg vineyards, is surrounded by an amphitheatre of spectacular Cape mountains

We began with their two white wines

The 2023 Chenin Blanc has rich golden fruit and smoke on the nose

and is full and rich on the palate with ripe fruit and the crispness of limes, granadilla and orange rind

It spends 10 months in old oak in 250 litre foudres and 3rd and 4th fill barrels and is allowed natural fermentation

The 2023 Chardonnay was shy at first, then a little smoke from 24 months in new French oak before the fruit appeared
On the palate, it is crisp with lemon/lime; it fills the palate with depth of flavour and length
with some orange peel notes on the end

The 2029 Syrah is given 25% new French oak, the rest in older barrels. Again, natural fermentation

Spicy, perfume and red berry fruit fill the nose

On the palate it is juicy, silky smooth with cranberry and red cherry giving length and depth with spice on the end,

ready to drink now but will age well

The 2016 Cabernet Franc has that classic savoury nose
with lovely dark mulberry fruit, Bing Cherry, smoke and spice and a hint of the expected umami
A lovely palate with a hint of warmth, the fruit and umami repeats as salty licorice on the end
Wood supports and rounds off this lovely food wine

The hill has some lovely fynbos and proteas and is full of birds

Sunbirds were flitting about gathering nectar

Vines, having given up their harvest, are now going dormant for the winter

The 2022 Grenache Noir shows smoke and fruit combined on the enticing palate, sophisticated and intriguing
Savoury and sweet layers of berry fruit and dark oak meld together without being overwhelming,

long flavours, a wine to serve with meat or game

85% Grenache, 15% Shiraz from bush vines and only old barrels are used

The 9 year old 2015 Cabernet was a treat to taste
Blackcurrants, very mature and green herbaceous with incense wood on the nose
A classic Stellenbosch Cabernet. 20 months in French oak, 40% new
It is a cassis bomb; fruit lingers on the palate, with a hint of grippy tannins that are softening, and long flavours

Those spectacular mountains that surround the farm

Each table is given its own trained sommelier to guide you through the tasting you choose

Do book, this farm is very popular with visitors.

We were then given a tasting of two of their Flagship wines, which are poured using a Coravin aerator

and swirled in a carafe, enlivening the flavours

This means you can get an idea of how they will develop with age

Per Se 2021 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The name means “by itself” or “intrinsically"

Smoke and cassis, deep aromas, minerality, complex and also some delicacy

Silky on the palate, then powerful cassis and warmth take over building its future age, good chalky tannins

Sweet and sour in balance, with plums and cassis; it opens up more on the palate and is juicy

A great wine, needs and calls for food

The Rhodium Blend 2021 refers to the gems in Oldenburg's ancient African soils and its grapes
A blend of 55% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon with 14.5% alcohol it's a really impressive wine
Black cherry and lovely oak supports with a whiff of incense
On the palate, lovely fruit, a mélange of ripe berries, all visible, some umami, licorice and salty minerality. Impressive
As was the entire experience. we are very impressed with the quality of the wines and the excellent service