It was in 1975, while making his way back to South Africa aboard the the last voyage of the Italian liner, Europa, that Pinot Noir pioneer, Peter Finlayson, had the desire to bring the Italian cultivars of sangiovese and nebbiolo to his home country.

Now, some thirty years later, he has created a much-loved and entirely unique blend which has become known as a South African multi-cultivar Tuscan blend”, under the title Hannibal. 

Presumably named after the legendary Carthaginian  warrior and not the chianti-loving character from Thomas Harris novels, the wine is blended out of five cultivars, inspired by Peters realisation that the blend of sangiovese and nebbiolo with some pinot noir added, made for an interesting marriage.

At 34%, sangiovese once again plays the pivotol role in the recently released 2006 vintage. Petite syrah (31 %) now takes up second position while pinot noir constitutes 20 % of the mix.  The balance is nebbiolo at 13 % and mourvedre at 2 %.

For a taste of the 2006 Hannibal, visit the Bouchard Finlayson estate in The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus.

Tastings and sales: from Monday to Friday, 09:30 to 17:00 and on Saturdays from 09:30 to 12:30.

Call 028 312 3515
www.bouchardfinlayson.co.za