Haut Espoir, Shiraz, Franschhoek, South Africa, 2012

What a wonderful example of Shiraz this is. The juice receives four years of barrel age before being bottled and a further two years of bottle ageing prior to release to allow the influence of the oak to integrate seamlessly with the white pepper and sweet plum character.

Despite its elegance and surprising freshness this is not a shy wine, grippy tannins and brooding dark fruit convey this is yet another remarkable Gentle Giant from Haut Espoir.