Rickety Bridge Foundation Stone Shiraz 2025 (Top 12)

Rickety Bridge is a historic wine estate situated in Franschhoek, in the Western Cape. With a winemaking heritage rooted in the Cape's established wine-growing traditions, the estate combines an appreciation for its surroundings with a contemporary approach to producing accessible, expressive wines. The Foundation Stone range celebrates the foundations of winemaking: soil, fruit and time. Each wine aims to express the character of its grape variety while reflecting the broader heritage of South African wine. The range takes its inspiration from the ancient Zhizo people, recognised for their dry-stone architecture, agricultural skills and trading networks. Foundation Stone Shiraz 2025 is a fruit-led, oak-matured red that focuses on the variety's naturally generous dark fruit and distinctive spice. Ripe blackberry and plum flavours are complemented by clove and pepper, with supple tannins providing structure without making the wine feel heavy. Recognised among the Top 12 wines in the 2025 Shiraz SA Challenge, this is a contemporary South African Shiraz that offers character and approachability in equal measure.

Colour: Deep ruby red with an intense, dark centre.
Nose: Ripe blackberries and dark plum lead, accompanied by hints of clove, cracked black pepper and subtle oak spice.
Palate: Juicy and rounded, with generous dark-fruit flavours supported by supple tannins. Blackberry and ripe plum form the core, while peppery spice adds savoury complexity. The oak influence provides structure and depth, allowing the fruit to remain the main attraction.
Finish: Fresh and satisfying, with lingering dark berries and a gentle peppery note.