Oak Valley Wines, situated on the northern perimeter of the cool-climate Elgin Valley plateau, has launched its flagship red with the 2004 vintage of a Bordeaux-styled blend, simply called The Oak Valley Blend. The blend is dominated by 88% merlot, with 9% cabernet franc and 3% cabernet sauvignon making up the balance. This, for the time being, completes the Oak Valley range of premium wines that now comprises: Sauvignon Blanc; Sauvignon Blanc Mountain Reserve; barrel-fermented Chardonnay: Pinot Noir; and the Red Blend.

 

And earlier this year, at the 2006 UK Decanter World Wine Awards, the Oak Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (current release) was awarded a Gold medal, won the Sauvignon Blanc Regional Trophy, and came third in the quest for the world’s best sauvignon blanc award; and won a Best in Class award at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London. The Oak Valley Sauvignon Blanc has made an auspicious debut with its maiden 2003 vintage, and 2004 and 2005 vintages, all being awarded 4½ stars by the John Platter wine guide.

 

The 2004 vintage at Oak Valley was fairly long and cool and fortunately they were spared the harsh early-summer heat wave that blanketed parts of the Cape winelands. The harvest was later and longer than previous vintages because of the lower-than-usual temperatures. It was an excellent harvest for the merlot that dominates The Oak Valley Blend, producing a medium-bodied wine with ripe fruit and a fine tannin structure. This combined with the use of 72% new French oak (balance 2nd-fill French oak) suggests that The Oak Valley Blend 2004 is a food wine that will age well over the next five to ten years, as befits the flagship red of a wine estate. The wine’s cool-climate pedigree is neatly summed up by the 2007 John Platter wine guide, ‘Herbaceous twist in the tail pleasantly stresses cool-climate origins ...’

 

It’s been a year of maiden vintage releases for Oak Valley, as their wine range takes shape. These wines were launched earlier this year.

 

· The Oak Valley Mountain Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2005 - from a high-lying vineyard on the slopes of the Groenlandberg. First tasted publicly at a Cape Wine 2006 sauvignon blanc tasting, to wide acclaim. 4½ stars in 2007 John Platter guide and submitted for their 5-star tasting. Made only in very small quantities and sold from the farm’s tasting room.

 

· Oak Valley Chardonnay 2005 - two-thirds naturally barrel fermented in new French oak, balance fermented in stainless steel tanks. Eight months in barrel and blended with some wine from the tanks in order to give a delicate oak finish. Also awarded 4½ stars in 2007 John Platter guide.

 

· Oak Valley Pinot Noir 2005 - vines planted in 2000 at 480m elevation on a cool south-facing slope. No cold soak, added yeast, pressed directly after fermentation.  Matured in new French oak barrels for nine months. Elegant wine with a delicate finish. Also made only in very small quantities and sold from the farm’s tasting room. Awarded 4 Stars in 2007 John Platter guide.

 

Although the release this year of The Oak Valley Blend, and other wines, represents the culmination of a two-decade journey from the time owner Anthony Rawbone-Viljoen first planted vines on his Elgin farm, he is well aware that viticulture and winemaking are a continual work in progress. He says, ‘Elgin, as a winegrowing region, represents a canvas with very little painted on it at the moment. The challenge will be to retain focus whilst taking full advantage of the opportunities presented by the cool climate terroir.’

Oak Valley Estate
Tel: +27 21 859-4110
Fax: +27 21 859-3405
E-mail: wines@oak-valley.co.za
www.oakvalleywines.com