Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2008

Hannibal (born in 247 BC in Carthage) is probably the greatest military strategist the world has ever seen.  The man became famous for taking African war elephants over the Pyrenees and Alps into Northern Italy at the outbreak of the 2nd Punic War.

On the other side of the world, almost 2 500 years later, a great wine has been produced in honour of this man.  Bouchard Finlayson from the Hemel and Aarde Valley outside Hermanus started producing the Hannibal in 2001.  The Northern Italian connection is captured in the wine with inclusion of Nebbiolo and Sangiovese into the blend.  The new release 2008 is dominated by Sangiovese with 50%, 22% Pinot Noir (the producer being renowned for the single varietal bottlings) and 13% Nebbiolo.  The rest of the blend is made up of a few drops of Mourvedre, Barbera and Shiraz.  It is a one of a kind blend in the South African context, as I cannot think of any other blend showing Tuscany, Burgundy, Piedmont and the Rhone all in one fantastic bottling.  The 2008 shows a lightness of touch that belies the power of the wine.  There’s a fantastic savouriness to the final product to compliment the red fruit and great acidity to give it freshness.

I make no bones of the fact that Bouchard Finlayson is one of my favourite local producers.  I admire their wines, particularly the fantastic Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, but my favourite wine from the estate has been the Hannibal since I tasted it the first time.  The Hannibal sells for approximately R185 a bottle, and is available at most fine wine establishments.  Do yourself a favour.