Oldenburg Rondekop Series Per Se 2015

Oldenburg Rondekop Series Per Se 2015

Oldenburg Vineyards is situated in that cooler part of the Stellenbosch Wine Appellation, The Banghoek Valley on the morning side of that iconic Stellenbosch Mountain the Simonsberg. Nic van Aarde, the winemaker on the estate since the 2019 vintages, is making excellent red and white wines.

The Oldenburg Vineyards, Rondekop on the right

The Rondekop Series is a range of wines made from selected barrels of wines from this enchanting little hillock in the middle of the Estate. The ferricrete soils have much to add to the flavours of the different wines. Per Se is Latin for ́in and of itself. The 2015 vintage is widely considered to be the best ever for South African wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes in the hands of the harvester

During the winemaking process, the bunches and berries are hand-sorted with delicate handling to preserve the integrity of the berries. The grapes were cold-soaked in the juice for three days before fermentation. Regular pump overs were done 3 times per day for the best colour extraction. Once pressed the wines were matured for 20 months in 100% new 300 litre French oak barrels for added elegance. The wines were then blended and prepared for bottling.

Oldenburg Barrel Cellar

Pour

From a Bordeaux shaped bottle and closed with natural cork. The label show the 8 natural elements of the vineyards. In the glass, the wine is a deep opaque bloodplum terra cotta which pales out to a dusky clear ruby at the edges. The aromas shout Cabernet Sauvignon, with blackcurrants, blueberries, soft sundried peaches, and the oak shows its spice and vanilla. The palate has a lovely line of acidity and gentle tannins from entry through to the long and satisfying aftertaste. The palate is rich and generous with its fruit, redcurrants, sweet ripe red cherries. A truly impressive glass of wine. And age worthy too- the estate says ten years or more. The wine is from the Estate’s Library Collection.

Alida Ryder’s Pan Seared Duck Breast with Honey-Soy Glaze

Pair

The Oldenburg Rondekop Series Per Se 2015 at 7 years old makes a fine sipping with serious conversation wine for that bottle after dinner. However, it is the most perfect partner for a dish of red meat or guinea fowl or duck. Alida Ryder’s Pan Seared Duck Breast with Honey-Soy glaze is the perfect partner for this wine. Click HERE for Alida’s recipe, and do have a trawl through her fabulous website.

Alida Ryder – buy her books HERE