Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2021

Flagstone Wines is a winemaker-driven South African producer whose wines are made with an emphasis on allowing the grapes and their growing conditions to shape the finished wine. The Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2021 draws fruit from several Western Cape areas, including Agter-Paarl, Walker Bay, Wellington, Swartland, Darling and Stellenbosch. This broad sourcing gives the wine a layered character, combining ripe dark fruit with freshness and savoury spice.  The Shiraz is hand-picked in the cool early morning and fermented in open-top fermenters before being barrel fermented and matured for 16–18 months in a combination of French and American oak, with 30% new oak. The result is a full-bodied, richly fruited Shiraz with enough acidity and tannin to keep the substantial fruit profile in balance.

Colour: Deep, rich plum-red with a lively ruby-red rim.
Nose: Concentrated dark fruit leads with blackberry, blackcurrant and plum, followed by white pepper, mint and cigar-box aromas. Subtle spice adds warmth, while the oak contributes a gentle savoury and toasted character.
Palate: Full-bodied and generous, with ripe dark fruit and a broad, rounded texture. Silky tannins provide structure without feeling harsh, while well-judged acidity brings freshness to the palate. White pepper, herbs and gentle oak spice add complexity behind the fruit. 
Finish: Long and lingering, with dark berry fruit, pepper, subtle spice and a savoury oak note.