Shiraz 2021

Located on the cool slopes of Bottelary Hills, in the heart of South Africa's Stellenbosch region, the Hartenberg estate benefits from well-drained, mineral-rich soils, predominantly granite and clay-sand. The vineyard enjoys a Mediterranean climate tempered by breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, promoting slow and steady ripening of the grapes. The varied exposure of the plots allows for the selection of the best Shiraz vines to craft this cuvée, emblematic of Hartenberg's generous and structured style.

The Shiraz grapes are hand-harvested, sorted, and then destemmed before a cold pre-fermentation maceration. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with regular pump-overs to extract color and tannins, followed by a post-fermentation maceration. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, mostly second and third-fill, for an extended period to refine the structure, integrate the oak, and preserve the spicy and fruity character typical of the estate.

This wine reveals notes of blackberry, black plum, and blueberry, enhanced by spicy touches of black pepper and clove, as well as woody nuances of vanilla and toasted oak. Subtle hints of violet and dried herbs complete the bouquet. On the palate, the texture is full and velvety, supported by ripe yet firm tannins, balanced acidity, and a long, slightly smoky and spicy finish.

The first grape vines were planted in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the 1650s, although wine production did not really take off until the arrival of French Protestants in the 1680s with their skills and knowledge of viticulture. Stellenbosch is also a historic wine region, with the first vineyards being planted there in the 1690s. Today, South Africa is one of the most important wine producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. With over 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as a bridge between the Old and New Worlds. The majority of wines are produced using New World winemaking techniques, but they often share more in common stylistically with their Old World counterparts. Since the end of apartheid, South African wine has received international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles. South Africa's wine industry is spread across the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allows winemakers to produce a wide variety of styles. Vineyards are also found in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, where the flat, arid landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa's wine regions have a Mediterranean climate, heavily influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country's signature grape variety is Pinotage, an indigenous cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that is rarely found in quantity in other wine-producing countries. Shiraz (Syrah) is also widely planted, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often combined in a Bordeaux blend). South African Chardonnay, Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular internationally in recent years.