Bellevue Estate Shiraz 2023 Bottelary, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa 75cl

Bellevue Estate sits in the Bottelary Hills on the cooler, western side of Stellenbosch, farmed by the Morkel family for generations. It is best known as the cradle of Pinotage, yet the cellar under Wilhelm Kritzinger turns out a broad, confident range of reds and whites from some of the district’s oldest vines.

The Shiraz comes off a trellised, dryland vineyard, picked in March and given a gentle four-day fermentation with regular pump-overs before malolactic conversion in tank. Kritzinger then matures it in a mix of French and American oak, aiming for a Rhône-leaning style that favours perfume and freshness over sheer weight. It sits in the accessible Estate tier.

The 2023 season was one of the smallest South African harvests in a decade, marked by a wet, cool run and late rains that kept growers on their toes with disease pressure. Careful vineyard work and selective picking rewarded the patient, and the best Stellenbosch reds came in fresh, aromatic and nicely defined rather than heavy.

Expect a smoky, spicy nose of sour-sweet cherry and raspberry, with cured-meat savouriness and a pinch of white pepper. The palate is velvety yet vibrant, carrying ripe fruit alongside mocha, spice and woodsmoke to a fresh, medium-bodied finish. Serve lightly cool with lean venison, ostrich fillet or herby lamb. Drink now or over the next three to five years.

Bellevue keeps this bottling deliberately understated, a Shiraz for the table rather than the trophy cabinet. If you enjoy the peppery, savoury side of Northern Rhône Syrah or cooler-climate Australian Shiraz, it will feel familiar. It is an easy pour for weekend gatherings and midweek suppers alike, and quietly overdelivers for its place in the range.