Bon Courage Estate The Pepper Tree Shiraz: spicy elegance from South Africa

This Bon Courage Estate The Pepper Tree Shiraz has plenty of dark fruit with hints of pepper and vanilla on the nose. You immediately taste a full body with soft tannins, in which spices and fruit come together beautifully. Additionally, you discover the whole created by the unique vinification: halfway through fermentation, half is transferred to French oak barrels, while the rest continues to ferment on the skins ‘sur lie’.

The wine then ages in oak barrels for 12 to 15 months, which provides depth and harmony. This Shiraz is powerful yet accessible, rich and elegant. Here is an overview:

• Originating from Robertson, South Africa
• Made of 100% Shiraz grapes
• Produced by Bon Courage Estate
• Matured for 12 to 15 months in French oak barrels

Tasting note Bon Courage Estate The Pepper Tree Shiraz

The wine opens with an inviting nose of ripe dark berries, black cherry, and jammy blackberries, accompanied by subtle layers of white and black pepper, spicy eucalyptus hint, and soft vanilla.

On the palate, it is full and round, with a rich flavour of pure red and black fruit, accompanied by a soft spiciness and a pleasant peppery note. The tannins are supple yet structured, with a warm, harmonious finish in which fruit and spices linger for a long time.

Pairing Bon Courage The Pepper Tree Shiraz with food

This wine pairs excellently with various dishes and brings out the best when combined with:

• Stews: think of beef stew, boeuf bourguignon, or lamb stew with herbs
• Seasoned roast: such as roasted leg of lamb with rosemary or a herb crust on roast beef
• Roasted pork with sweet sauce: the spicy notes harmonize with sweet glazed meat
• Grilled steak: ribeye or sirloin with peppercorn sauce make a classic match.
• Mature hard cheeses: aged Gouda, Manchego, or Pecorino complement the full flavor.

The Bon Courage Estate The Pepper Tree Shiraz is therefore versatile and perfect for hearty dishes.

Unique vinification of Bon Courage The Pepper Tree Shiraz

For this wine, whole grapes are fermented in tanks. Midway through the fermentation process, half of the wine is pumped into French oak barrels, where it has the opportunity to continue fermenting. The other half continues to ferment with the skins, also known as ‘sur lie’.

After this phase, the wine ages for another 12 to 15 months in French oak barrels. This method ensures a beautiful balance between fruitiness, structure, and the influence of the wood. The portion that fermented on the skins develops more tannins and color, while the portion in the barrels brings out subtle flavors of vanilla and spices. Together, they form a beautiful whole.

About Bon Courage Estate and their production facilities

Bon Courage Estate possesses modern production facilities that are essential for making quality wines. Located in Robertson, one of South Africa's most famous wine regions, it is known for the excellent Shiraz produced here.

The estate has been managed by the Bruwer family for generations. They combine traditional viticultural techniques with contemporary innovations. Their focus is on creating wines that capture the character of the region, with an eye for detail and quality at every step of the production process.

The name “The Pepper Tree” refers to the striking peppery notes that are so typical of Shiraz from this region. This spicy component arises from a unique blend of climate, soil, and careful vinification using both tanks and barrels.

We also have from Bon Courage Estate a very tasty Pinotage in the range