2007 Neil Ellis 'Sincerely' Western Cape, South Africa Shiraz

About This Wine

When business partners are focused on the same goal, good things can happen.

"This is an exercise in quality and nothing less," says Neil Ellis, who owns Neil Ellis Wines Ltd. in South Africa with Hans Peter Schroder. And to make quality wines, it takes quality grapes, as Schroder explains: "Exceptional terroir and assiduous vineyard cultivation form the bedrock of great wine, so we source superior grapes from low-yielding, hand-selected vineyard lots."

The partners' "Sincerely" line of fine wines is a good example of their approach. The 2007 Shiraz is a multi-vineyard blend from the Stellenbosch and Darling growing areas. Stellenbosch is just a short distance east of Cape Town, while Darling is part of the larger Swartland area of the Western Cape.

With each area and each vineyard contributing unique aroma and flavor characteristics to the finished product, this is a complex, layered and delicious wine that pairs beautifully with barbecued fare — and we mean that Sincerely.

About Shiraz

Very dark, rich, powerful wines with great aging potential (as long as 50 years), yet still can be drunk relatively young. Distinct pepper, spice, cherry and leather flavors, with smooth, supple texture. Embodied in majestic wines from France, Australia and, increasingly, California.

Tasting Notes

• Grape Composition:100% Shiraz
• Grape Source:Stellenbosch & Darling Areas of South Africa's Western Cape Region
• Aromas & Flavors:Black Cherry, Plum, Leather, Cedar and White & Black Pepper
• When to Drink:Now Through 2012
• Food Pairing Suggestionbarbecued meats, or a ribeye steak.

Member Ratings

Recipes.

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  Tuscan Style Roasted Game Hens If you're looking for a change from turkey or ham this holiday season, try this easy-to-prepare dish that matches well with both white and red wines. It serves 6... Get The Recipe
  

  Sausage Jambalaya This recipe makes a great meal, especially on a cold day. Try it with Syrah, Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon. And if you'd like to save a few fat grams, substitute turkey sausage for the beef. This recipe makes 8 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Garden Tomato Pasta With Wine And Basil Try this tasty recipe with either featured red wine selection with Syrah/Shiraz, Zinfandel or red blends. It makes 8 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Turkey Empanadas These tasty turnovers or hot pockets match well with Syrah, Italian red wines, or white wines that have not been over-exposed to oak. This recipe makes 10 empanadas. Get The Recipe
  

  Beef Rib Eye With Sweet Onion Topping This dish pairs beautifully with Syrah (a.k.a. Shiraz), as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and red blends. This recipe makes 4 servings Get The Recipe
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  Pork Tenderloin With Tart Cherry Port And Caraway Sauce This delicious recipe from Sonoma County's J. Fritz Winery matches beautifully with almost any red wine. It makes 4 to 6 servings. Get The Recipe
  

  Pork Chops With Blueberry Sauce This recipe makes 4 servings, and matches wonderfully with Syrah/Shiraz, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Merlot and red blends... Get The Recipe
  

  Butternut Squash Soup From Executive Chef Linda Kittler of Sonoma County's Valley of the Moon Winery comes this delicious recipe that pairs perfectly with Syrah/Shiraz, as well as various red blends. It serves 10. Get The Recipe
  

  Tomato Pesto Pasta A wonderful match with Cabernet Sauvignon, this recipe helps bring out the fruitful quality of the wine. It also matches nicely with other red wines, and serves 4. Get The Recipe
  

  Smoked Salmon Penne Pasta In a world of "anything goes" food-and-wine pairing, we're always on the lookout for recipes that match well with either white or red wines. This is one such recipe, and it makes two servings... Get The Recipe
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  Pan Fried Lamb Chops This recipe, which makes 4 servings, features flavors that can be enjoyed with virtually any red wine. Turn it into a complete meal with a side dish jasmine rice. Get The Recipe
  

  Moroccan Lamb Tangine Try this tasty recipe, which makes 6 servings, with Shiraz or a red blend. MOROCCAN LAMB TANGINE Ingredients... Get The Recipe
  

  Broccoli Sweet Onion And Pecan Salad A flavorful salad that matches with both white and red wines - particularly Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Shiraz - this recipe makes 6 servings as a side dish, or about 3 as a main dish. Get The Recipe
  

  Mustard Crusted Rack Of Lamb Try this tasty recipe, which serves 4 or more, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or a red blend containing any of the aforementioned varieties... Get The Recipe