Lovely, well-rounded palate with crushed, mashed berries, smoky cedar and black pastille. An interesting touch of earthiness too. An elegant, spicy, peppery shiraz with a good length. Deep plum with a garnet rim. Good depth. Wild bramble-berry fruit shows excellent concentration, the oak carefully integrated and unobtrusive. Warm, spicy notes make the mouth water. After a minute in the glass the nose opens out nicely as befits a 1997. On a light and humorous note: the wine is reminiscent of expenisve leather handbags!Serve with Mediterranean meat dishes like spicy lamb, meat casseroles incorporating red and green peppers, souvlaki or kebabs. A good partner, also, to roasts (including venison) and oxtail or other stews. Excellent with barbecued South African Boerewors (beef sausages), but also with barbecued lamb chops and beef steaks. The Shiraz lover would, of course, enjoy drinking it on its own. Serve at around 18ºC.