Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2020

Bouchard Finlayson is both a family affair, and a place of collaboration. A labour of love that sees the marriage of Old World winemaking heritage with New World innovation. 
The estate was established in South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde valley in 1989, a groundbreaking partnership between acclaimed Burgundian winemaker.

Hannibal 2020 is sourced from mature, low-yielding vineyards planted on clay-rich soils, which contribute to the wine’s structure and concentration. The vineyards, hand-harvested during a six-week period, reflect the estate’s focus on sustainability and precision viticulture. The 2019–2020 season began with promising flowering conditions, though the start of the year brought atypical weather challenges. However, the onset of dry conditions during harvest ensured healthy, high-quality fruit, marking a strong recovery from the light 2019 vintage.

The Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2020 celebrates its 20th release, a milestone for this eccentric yet beloved blend. The wine is crafted with meticulous care, beginning with hand-harvesting of the estate’s naturally low-yielding vineyards.

Each varietal undergoes individual alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks before being transferred to small barrels for the extended malolactic fermentation process. Notably, the Sangiovese component, which makes up 41% of the blend, can take up to nine months to complete. The final blend, consisting of 41% Sangiovese, 26% Nebbiolo, 10% Barbera, 9% Shiraz, 8% Pinot Noir, and 6% Mourvèdre, is assembled after 12 months of aging in small oak barrels, of which 17% are new oak. Bottling took place in July 2021, ensuring harmony and balance in the wine’s final expression.