1685 Shiraz
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 3–8 years from vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, slow-cooked lamb shanks, roasted venison
✨ Technical Specifications
The Boschendal 1685 Shiraz is a tribute to the estate's founding year when French Huguenot Jean le Long was granted land in the Groot Drakenstein Valley. This wine captures the historic soul of the Cape Winelands, sourcing grapes from prime Coastal Region vineyards where cooling maritime breezes temper the warm South African sun. The soils, ranging from decomposed granite to weathered shale, impart a distinct mineral complexity to the vines. In the cellar, the winemakers employ traditional fermentation techniques followed by careful maturation in a combination of first to fourth-fill French oak barrels. The result is a classic South African Shiraz that balances bold, dark forest fruit flavors with a signature grind of black pepper, savory coriander spice, and seamless, integrated tannins that speak to Boschendal's centuries-old winemaking legacy.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1685 by French Huguenot Jean le Long, Boschendal is one of South Africa's oldest and most prestigious wine estates, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Groot Drakenstein and Simonsberg mountains between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Steeped in Cape Dutch architectural heritage, the estate champions regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, and sustainable vineyard management across diverse soils and microclimates. Renowned for pioneering Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wines alongside its celebrated 1685 range, Boschendal excels in crafting crisp Sauvignon Blancs, layered Chardonnays, and elegant, structure-driven reds such as Shiraz and Cabernet blends. Each bottling captures the vibrant terroir and historical depth of the Western Cape with balance, sophistication, and timeless longevity.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Shiraz
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
14% - 14.5%