Cape Grace Basket Pressed shiraz 2022

Cape Grace has been producing some excellent shiraz over the years, and this one from a very good year is another cracker. It follows the typical line of open fermentation, hand plunging, basket pressing and then maturation in a mix of puncheons and hogsheads, of which 35% was new. This is a wine that really allows the fruit to strut its stuff. It has a deep plummy, chocolatey character, but there's a lift of spices, dried herbs and a sprinkle of black pepper. You also get that slightly coffee-grind mocha character, which adds another layer of complexity. It's an excellent wine, drinking beautifully but with potential.