Groote Post Shiraz Darling Hills, 2018

It should come as no surprise that Shiraz is one of Lukas’s favourite grape varieties having spent time and made wine in the Rhône Valley in France. The vines were planted in 2001 and 2002 on sites close to the ocean. Lukas harvests the grapes at two ripeness levels in order to capture different flavours to create a more complex wine. Deep plum in colour, the 2018 has brambly forest fruit aromas with cut grass and vanilla components. It is concentrated and supple on the palate with bitter cherry flavours giving length, a grainy texture and quite a firm rustic finish. It was matured for 14 months in 300-litre oak barrels with 25% new and using 10% American oak.