2006 J&J Vineyards

McLaren Vale Shiraz

The Fruit

The high quality Shiraz grapes for this wine are sourced from a single premium vineyard, in

central McLaren Vale. This vineyard's soil profile ranges from sandy red loams over yellow

clay subsoil, to light brown loams over limestone. 2006 provided optimum weather conditions,

of warm days, with cool maritime evening breezes, from the nearby Gulf St Vincent, for what

will be one of the best regional vintages for many years. Perfect grape ripening conditions,

enabled the fruit to reach full maturity, with deep colour and rich fruit spice flavours. The

grapes were picked at 14.5 Baume and the cropping level was approximately 4 tonnes to the

acre, with harvest completed by March 24.

The Winemaking

This wine was made by Consultant Winemaker, Scott Rawlinson, who was recently awarded

the position of 2007 McLaren Vale Bushing King. The grapes were picked at optimal fruit

ripeness, by harvesting in the cool of the early morning, with the fruit arriving at the winery

crusher within the hour. It was de-stemmed and gently crushed, allowing small portions of

full berries through to induce initial wild yeast fermentation. The crushed fruit, with whole

berries, were then chilled and immediately pumped to sweep arm fermenters. After a short

primary fermentation, a premium cultured Fermol Mediterranee yeast was added, to complete

the fermentation. This quality yeast accentuates richness and body, while enhancing cellaring

potential. After 6-10 days in the fermenters, the fruit was pressed and pumped into

predominantly 2 year old French and American oak barrels, with a small portion placed into

new American Missouri barrels, to add lifted oak flavours, without dominating the intense

varietal Shiraz characters. Maturation was completed after 10 months in oak, with the fruit and

oak well integrated. Post bottling, the wine spends months in the maturation cellar before

release, so that the wine is well integrated, to maximize your enjoyment of this superb wine.

The Taste

This juicy Shiraz is dominated by licorice and spicy cedar wood notes, complimented and

enhanced by a light touch of white pepper. A rich, sophisticated and elegant wine displaying

great varietal Shiraz characters, and with long lengths of flavour, enhanced by lingering

warmth from balanced alcohol. A real mans drink. By using 2 year old oak we have

maintained freshness and accentuated the primary fruit. A well balanced wine that is very

approachable now, or will develop with short term cellaring. Great with beef cheek, osso-buco,

or a dry bitey cheese by a warm fire.