Hannibal

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

Historically, the Shiraz grapes utilized in this blend were sourced from a neighboring grower – therefore still Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in origin, but not an Estate wine. Our own Shiraz vineyard, planted in 2015, produced a stunning crop in 2018 and is happily included in this wine. Healthy ripening was brought on by moderately warm days and mostly dry conditions. The few intermittent rain showers, not uncommon in February, were welcomed in assisting the vineyards over the finish line.

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

Once each vineyard is picked, cooled, sorted and transferred to various fermentation vessels, fermentation is activated by the addition of a yeast culture. In this case, originating from an organic Stellenbosch vineyard, offering expression and individuality to each parcel. After spending a minimum of two weeks on skins, each batch was pressed and transferred to French oak, 24% 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.