Hannibal 1.5L

Hannibal is a hugely versatile match for a range of dishes, but it works especially well with Indian and other spicy cuisine. Pair it with a Cape Vegetable Biryani, Mauritian seafood Vindaye or simply goats milk cheese served on brioche toast.

Vintage 2019 will long be remembered for the raging wildfire that swept across the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley on the 11 January – less than three weeks before the first grapes were picked. We were fortunate not to be severely impacted and brought in a healthy, although slightly lighter crop. The reduced yield being the result of milder than normal winter temperatures. Weather conditions remained cool and relatively dry throughout February and March.

Following nearly a year in barrel, a final blend was reached via numerous representative tasting samples. This blend was transferred to tank for a three month resting period and bottled in August 2020.

Picked bunches are chilled overnight, followed by a rigorous sorting process – integral for a pure fruit expression. Extraction is achieved through both pumping over of the fermenting must, and punching down of the cap. After spending a minimum of two weeks on skins, each batch was pressed and transferred to French oak, 17% of which were new.

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.