Hannibal 1.5L

Aubergine and mozzarella bake, chevre cheese, and red meats!

This vintage saw two Italians assist with harvest on their internship, which I believe particularly benefited the Hannibal. As with the early ripening varietals, an abundant crop had set, requiring strict discipline in removing late developing bunches – a practice known as green harvesting, leaving a balanced and prospectively superb crop. Apart from the rejuvenating 2 inches of rain that fell a week prior to the first picking date, cool and dry conditions prevailed through- out harvest, allowing for a healthy and leisurely ripening.

After fermentation the young wines were transferred to traditional French oak barrels where secondary fermentation was completed. Compiling the final blend is a rigorous affair, stretching over a number of days and based on tasting various possible combinations, until one shows itself as being superior.

All the vineyards contributing to this wine are monitored and harvested individually, and their contributions chilled overnight to preserve fruit quality. Each batch of grapes was crushed and fermented separately, with some components macerating up to 20 days on skins.

One of South Africa’s most awarded boutique wine estates lies in a scenic valley just an hour and a half from Cape Town called Hemel-en-Aarde or Heaven-and-Earth. Framed by great fold mountains and breath-taking ocean views it is one of the coolest wine-making regions in the Cape with duplex soil structures and sun-facing slopes. The promise of the unique terroir is harnessed by winemaker Chris Albrecht in slow-ripened flavour-rich wines of exceptional quality. Bouchard Finlayson is globally acclaimed for producing the best Pinot Noir in South Africa as well as exceptional Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs. The vineyards are surrounded by an indigenous floral conservancy alive with birdsong and wildflowers. Beyond the beauty of the farm itself you can discover the enchantments of the local area. Some of the popular attractions of nearby Hermanus include whale-watching; shark-cage diving; mountain hiking or biking; browsing art antiques and shops; and of course the white sandy beaches.