De Grendel Elim Shiraz Makes it a Double - and a Triple

Unique in its cool-climate origin and unique in character, De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2018 has been named in the Top 10 in the Prescient Shiraz Report 2020 by Winemag.co.za – adding to its Top 12 status in the 2020 Shiraz South Africa Challenge recently.

De Grendel wines have now ranked in the top 10 in three consecutive reports compiled by the respected online wine publication Winemag.co.za, with Rubaiyat 2016 placed in the top 10 Cape Bordeaux blends and the 2017 Merlot ranking in the Merlot top 10 in July.

Of the De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2018, the panel said: “Aromatics that are compelling in their wildness – plenty of pepper and spice to go with red and black fruit. The palate is intensely flavoured with snappy acidity and extremely salty finish. A most particular example of the variety.”

That particularity comes from the wine’s origin in the cool maritime climate of Elim close to Cape Agulhas, a wine-growing potential that our cellar master Charles Hopkins saw more than 20 years ago when he identified it as the ideal climate for making the distinctive rotundone style of shiraz – alluringly fragrant with deep black pepper intensity.

De Grendel Elim Shiraz is Hopkins’ passion project, a dream that came to fruition with the first vintage of De Grendel Elim Shiraz in 2016. That vintage immediately attracted accolades, a winning streak form that has continued in the two subsequent vintages.

“The stature of our Elim Shiraz just continues to grow – from a Michelangelo Double Gold and Shiraz SA Top status for the 2016, to the 2017 achieving the first Platter’s five-star rating for De Grendel. Coming so close after being named one of the best 12 South African shiraz in this year’s Shiraz South Africa Challenge, the winemag top 10 is another signal of more greatness to come for this truly exceptional wine,” Hopkins said.

De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2018 expresses maraschino cherry, violet and blackberry aromas leading into a rich palate layered with intense black fruit flavours, firm tannins supported by well-integrated oak.

Matured for 13 months in second and third fill French oak barrels, Elim Shiraz is made to age gracefully into its full power over at least the next decade, and is available in limited quantities.

The overall 2020 winner in the Prescient Winemag.co.za Shiraz category, along with the scores of the top 10 wines, will be announced later in the year when the magazine reveals the ratings and winners across its 12 category reports compiled over the year.

To read the full Prescient Winemag.co.za Shiraz Report 2020, click here.