Eagles’ Nest Vineyards Shiraz 2022 Constantia, Western Cape, South Africa 75cl

The Constantia Valley has been growing wine since the late 1600s, and Eagles’ Nest occupies one of its more dramatic corners, a steep amphitheatre of vineyard that was pine forest a generation ago. Replanted with care by a small, quality-driven team, the estate today hand-harvests every block on these cool, mountain-facing slopes.

Shiraz here is grown for freshness rather than sheer power. Constantia’s maritime setting keeps temperatures in check, so the grapes ripen slowly and hold on to their natural perfume and acidity. This is the estate’s more approachable Shiraz, a supple, medium-bodied style that shows the grape’s spicy, floral side without heavy extraction or oak.

South Africa’s 2022 was a small but excellent vintage. A cooler season slowed ripening and stretched hang time by up to two weeks, which favoured colour, aromatics and fine tannins. For cool-climate reds in particular it was a gift, delivering wines with fresh fruit, real definition and a lighter, more savoury frame.

Bright ruby in the glass, with a lifted nose of blackberry, red cherry and violet, threaded with white pepper and a whiff of fynbos scrub. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, its dark-berry fruit framed by soft tannins and a savoury, peppery finish. Try it with grilled lamb, herby sausages or a mushroom risotto.

Eagles’ Nest has built a strong reputation for cool-climate Shiraz, and this bottling offers an easy way in. In spirit it sits closer to a Northern Rhone Syrah than a warm-country blockbuster, all pepper and perfume rather than jam. Pour it with a weeknight roast or hand it round at a relaxed dinner, lightly chilled if the day is warm.