2018 Stacks On GSM

GRAPEGROWER & WINEMAKER

Josh Pfeiffer

FRUIT SOURCE
67% Grenache, 24% Shiraz and 9% Mataro. Grown on the vineyard around our Cellar Door using organic and biodynamic practices, our Grenache and Mataro were planted in 2001 using the clone BVRC139 and BV 138 respectively. The west-facing slope has quite a bit of ironstone at the top of the hill, with deeper red clay and biscay soil towards the bottom, giving the fruit great complexity. The Shiraz component comes from our grafted blocks, planted in 1997, which sits on quite heavy, biscay soils, giving the fruit a nice softness.

WINE MAKING

Each variety was picked and made separately, allowing me to pick the fruit at optimum ripeness and make the best wines possible. The Shiraz component had a good amount of whole bunch in it, which works out to be 24% whole bunch in total. All fermented wild and foot stomped twice a day to minimise extraction. 12 days on skins on average before basket pressing to old french oak to mature for 6 months. Blended and bottled with no fining and no filtration.

TASTING NOTE
2018 was what I would describe as a fairly textbook vintage, playing favourably to these three varieties strengths- thriving in warm, dry summer conditions. The resulting wine is a ripper, arguably the best I have made so far. Classic bright red fruits from the Grenache, soft blue fruits and herbaceous notes from the whole bunch component of Shiraz, and Mataro driving home the savouriness. Drink it and listen to Late Night by Foals.

TECHNICAL DATA
Alc: 12.7% pH: 3.52  T.A.: 5.10 g/l

RECOMMENDED CELLARING
Ready to drink now or cellar for 5-7 years.

REVIEWS

95 Points – James Halliday – August 2019

93 points- Wine Front- May 2019- “Wonderful energy, perfume and drinkablity here. Rosehip, red fruits, lightly smoky, crunchy fresh feel, a whole lot of energy and drinking appeal, light in body, juicy almost watermelon and fresh raspberry, fine grained lick of tannin, and good length. It feels unforced and goes down a treat. A distinctly natty Euro meets Barossa feel here. More please, and thank you.” Gary Walsh

94 points- Wine Front- July 2019- “Did 50 2018 Barossa G + GSM etc on Monday (all blind) and this was submitted again. Anyway here is a note from a blind tasting. Dried herb, raspberry, smoke, grilled meat, chamomile. Silky, minerally, cool water acidity, dried herb and perfume, watercolor, and finely wrought. Light touch in winery, freshness and tasty flavour delivered. Yes.” Gary Walsh

91 points- jamessuckling.com- June 2019- “A handy array of ripe and brambly red and dark berries here with a composed, balanced feel that finishes on a bright red-fruit note. A blend of 67% grenache, 24% shiraz and 9% mataro. Drink now. Screw cap.”