The charming boutique cellar of Greg Olsen is nestled against the slopes of the picturesque Klein Drakenstein Mountains in beautiful Paarl, a premium wine-growing region of South Africa. Family owned and run, this picturesque farm is owned by Dr. Greg Olsen – an American entrepreneur, engineer and scientist.
Only handpicked grapes find their way into the boutique cellar. It is here that special attention to viticulture and time-honored winemaking techniques, are an art and a true passion. The result: fine hand-crafted artisanal style wines of premium quality. Experience the thrill of a new discover – the wines of Olsen Private Vineyards.
Cape Blend 2012
Origin: Klein Drakenstein, Paarl, South Africa
Varietals: 43% Pinotage, 32% Shiraz, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot
Vinification: The charming boutique cellar of Greg Olsen is nestled against the slopes of the picturesque Klein Drakenstein Mountains. After tasting all the barrels of the 2012 vintage, only the best barrel of each cultivar was selected to create this highly structured succulent wine. The Cape Blend designation requires a vintner to have at least 30% Pinotage in the blend.
Tasting Notes: An intense complex structure with powdery spice and raspberry flavors followed by a long lingering finish.
Serving Suggestions: Olsen Private Vineyards Cape Blend is the perfect accompaniment to steak, lamb, hard cheese or perfect for meditative sipping.
Pinotage 2012
Origin: Klein Drakenstein, Paarl, South Africa
Varietal: 100% Pinotage
Vinification: Pinotage is one of South Africa’s most treasured wines. Olsen Private Vineyard Pinotage is created in the charming boutique cellar of Greg Olsen which is nestled against the slopes of the picturesque Klein Drakenstein Mountains. Only the finest Pinotage grapes are hand selected at their peak of perfection and brought to the cellar where they are hand sorted to ensure that only ripe healthy grapes are used. During fermentation, the fermentation cap was punched through by hand every 3 to 4 hours. Fermentation followed in open stainless steel tanks at temperatures of 26C – 29C. After pressing, the free run juice was blended into first fill French Oak barrels and matured for 12 months before release. A classic example of this South African varietal.
Tasting Notes: A silky full bodied wine with well integrated tannins with hints of raspberry and smoke. The typicity of the Pinotage grape shines through in this wine.
Serving Suggestions: Olsen Private Vintage Pinotage is an ideal companion to grilled meats, hard cheese and tomato based dishes.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Origin: Klein Drakenstein, Paarl, South Africa
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vinification: The charming boutique cellar of Greg Olsen is nestled against the picturesque Klein Drakenstein Mountains. Here specially selected Cabernet Sauvignon grape clusters are hand-picked and hand-sorted to ensure that only the healthiest grapes are used. During fermentation, the fermentation cap was punched through every 3 to 4 hours with fermentation taking place in open stainless steel tanks in temperatures between 26C to 29C. After pressing, the free run juice was blended into first fill 90% French Oak and 10% American Oak barrels and matured for 24 months to create this seamless wine.
Tasting Notes: Complex and structured with integrated flavors of blackberry and coconut followed by a smooth finish.
Serving Suggestions: Olsen Private Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect accompaniment to beef, hearty pasta, lamb and hard cheese.
Merlot 2012
Origin: Klein Drakenstein, Paarl, South Africa
Varietal: 100% Merlot
Vinification: The charming boutique cellar of Greg Olsen is nestled against the slopes of the picturesque Klein Drakenstein Mountains. The Merlot grapes were hand-harvested and hand-selected to ensure that only ripe, healthy grapes are used to create this scrumptious Merlot. During fermentation the fermentation cap was punched through by hand every 3 to 4 hours with fermentation taking place in open stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 26C – 29C. After gentle pressing, the free run juice is blended into first fill 90% French Oak and 10% American Oak barrels and matured 24 months prior to release.
Tasting Notes: Aged to perfection, Olsen Private Vineyard Merlot possesses a full structured and easy drinking fruity character with a soft lingering finish.
Serving Suggestions: Olsen Private Vineyard Merlot is superlative with beef including hamburgers, pasta with red sauce, Gouda cheese or roasted lamb.
Shiraz 2012
Origin: Klein Drakenstein, Paarl, South Africa
Varietal: 100% Shiraz
Vinification: The charming boutique cellar of Greg Olsen is nestled against the slopes of the picturesque Klein Drakenstein Mountains. Hand-selected grape clusters were harvested and hand-sorted to ensure that only ripe, healthy grapes were used to create Olsen Private Vineyards Shiraz. During fermentation the fermentation cap was punched through by hand every 3 to 4 hours with fermentation taking place in open stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 26C – 29C. After pressing the free run juice is blended into first fill 90% French Oak and 10% American Oak barrels and matured for 14 months.
Tasting Notes: 2012 was an excellent vintage year that provided the perfect complexity of pepper and blackberry flavors with hints of dark plum spice and licorice. The maturation in oak added spice and softened the tannins to perfection.
Serving Suggestions: Olsen Private Vineyards Shiraz is the perfect accompaniment to stews, roast lamb, fried chicken and lentil dishes.
Chenin Blanc 2014
Origin: Klein Drakenstein, Paarl, South Africa
Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
Vinification: The charming boutique cellar of Greg Olsen is nestled against the slopes of the picturesque Klein Drakenstein Mountains. The Chenin Blanc grapes were hand-picked and hand-selected to ensure that only ripe, healthy grapes are used to create this succulent Chenin Blanc. After de-stemming, the grapes were pressed then moved to stainless steel tanks where fermentation took place at temperatures between 14C and 16C. After fermentation the wine was kept on the lees for another week before it was racked off clean to a holding tank for stabilization and fining before bottling.
Tasting Notes: A bold yet elegant fruit forward South African Chenin Blanc with notes of summer fruit, fresh pineapple and guava. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a dry, clean finish.
Serving Suggestions: Olsen Private Vineyard Chenin Blanc marries well with summer salads, grilled or poached fish or goat cheese.
Chardonnay 2013
Origin: Klein Drakenstein, Paarl, South Africa
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Vinification: The charming boutique cellar of Greg Olsen is nestled against the slopes of the picturesque Klein Drakenstein Mountains. The grapes were hand-selected to ensure that only ripe healthy grapes were used to create this luscious Chardonnay. After de-stemming, the grapes were pressed then fermented at temperatures between 14C and 16C in stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, the wine was transferred to French Oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and further matured for 12 months.
Tasting Notes: An iconic lightly oaked Chardonnay with perfectly integrated flavors of citrus, pineapple and fruit. Soft and round with a well-structured long finish.
Serving Suggestions: Olsen Private Vineyard Chardonnay is ideal with poultry, pasta in cream sauce and lightly seasoned fish dishes.
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