2020 Laughing Jack Jack's GSM, Barossa Valley

The 2020 GSM is estate grown fruit from our Moppa Hill and Greenock Vineyards. 57% Grenache soured from the old vines at Moppa, Shiraz from our Home block at Greenock and 11% Mourvèdre from our hillside vineyard at Moppa.  Each variety adds its own characteristics to the blend – Grenache aromatic red fruits and spice, Shiraz dark fruits and mid palate weight.  Mourvèdre completes the balance by adding structure and complexity to the finish.

Handpicked fruit, 100% de-stemmed this vintage and whole berry to fermenter.  The three grape components all fermented separately, Grenache like the Mourvedre is hand plunged in small open top fermenters.  The Shiraz ferment was managed mostly with two pump overs per day.  26 days on skins for Grenache, 24 days for the Mourvedre and 15 days for the Shiraz.  The wine was then drained to oak barrels and skins were hand dug out of the fermenters into the basket press.

Appearance:  Medium ruby core with medium crimson rim.

Aroma:  Densely packed fruits; cherry, blueberry, plum and raspberry.  Although the fragrant primary fruits are dominant, there is also plenty of underlying mixed spice.  There are earth notes synonymous with GSM along with some florals and hints of pepper.

Palate:  Medium bodied, although a touch fuller than previous vintages, partly due to one of the lowest yielding vintages on record.  Plenty of fruit and spice flow onto the palate, along with those classic earthy tones.  It is round through the  mid palate with balanced acidity. The tannins are velvety and help to support the fruit and acid on the finish.

Region:  100% Barossa Valley

Sub Region:  68% Moppa Hill & 32% Greenock Vineyards

Bottled:  Unfined & unfiltered on 28/10/2021

Production:  366 dozen

pH:  3.42

Total Acid:  5.91 g/L

Alcohol:  14.5%

Maturation:  16 months in seasoned French oak Puncheons

Cellaring Potential:  8 years with careful cellaring

Winemaker:  Shawn Kalleske

Last tasted:  10/02/23