Orpheus & The Raven Eternal Eight 2023

Drink it now or cellar for up to 20 years. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour. Founded in 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa, Orpheus & The Raven is the winemaking project of two friends, Brenden Schwartz, a designer, and Etienne Louw, a winemaker. Their quality artisanal wines are produced only in small quantities, and aim to express the artistic and eclectic spirit of the two founders. The Orpheus & The Raven Eternal Eight is a classic Bordeaux blend with a rich, timeless, and elegant character. After the harvest, the grapes are fermented separately in stainless steel and the finished wines are aged in used French oak barrels before blending and bottling. In the glass, the wine reveals a bright, deep ruby color and a complex and broad aromatic profile. On the nose you can smell a variety of fruity aromas that include plum, mulberry, blackberry, and blackcurrant, followed by hints of violet and some herbal nuances. On the palate, the wine shows good concentration. It is fruity and soft with velvety tannins and a good acid streak. It has a medium-full body and a very long finish with gentle spicy notes. It pairs well with spicy beef stews, pasta with ragu, and lasagna Bolognese.