PROTEA SHIRAZ 2023

Softly attractive strawberry and raspberry aromas with a subtle floral fringe that complements its pale pink shade. The palate is fresh and juicy with a gentle citrus tang perfectly offset and balanced by the rounded berry compote flavours. There’s even an exotic suggestion of Turkish Delight. Appealing in its succulence and vibrancy, it has good body and presence. It’s no will o’ the wisp: it has substance and good length.

An array of summer fruit aromas – guava, gooseberry, kiwi and passion fruit combine with fresh stone fruits and citrus overtones. The same appealing summer fruits fan out on the palate, which is well balanced, and rounded with a gentle yet lively, crisp acidity. A deliciously refreshing summer wine with a long, lingering dry finish.

Appealing fruitcake aromas and flavours with traces of both spice and gentle floral notes. A warm, rounded, comforting texture marks the first impression of the wine in the mouth. Ripe, fruity and succulent with ample berry and black cherry flavours that are well supported by appropriate, rather than stern or overbearing, dominant oak. Spice and cedar nuances can also be found but it’s the mouthfeel and texture of the wine that really boosts its appeal. It’s approachable and affable but with good backbone and character. Length and poise too. Comfortably a wine that over delivers in many aspects.

Citrus and stonefruit with honeydew melon aromas. Gently ripe and rounded, the palate is broad and appealing with its melon, lemon and grapefruit zest countered by the vivd stone fruit flavours. Nimble and vivacious with crisp, tangy acid to balance the fruit vibrancy. Light-bodied and fun, it’s easy to enjoy but not without a serious side, as evidenced by the lees note and subtle flinty, almost mineral, tail.