We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
About This Wine
A slice of great value Barossan soul from the quiet achiever. The first thing to know about this winegrower is that he lives in the vineyard. Getting a hold of Shawn Kalleske outside vineyard hours is like herding cats, perhaps more so because vineyard hours at this address are roughly equivalent to sunlight hours. Kalleske has just completed his 24th vintage at the estate and not only do his gnarled, crevassed hands tell the tale of each tour of duty, but the quality of his wines is also a testament to his rare work ethic.
Laughing Jack’s GSM is drawn from the estate’s manicured Moppa Hill and Greenock vineyards. Planted in 1962, the Moppa Hill site has ancient, sandy soils with the old vines deeply anchored in the reddish-orange clays far beneath. The Greenock property has deep red soils. Both sites have own-rooted, low-yielding vines (around 0.5 tonnes per acre in 2020), managed sustainably with organic principles. The vines on both sites are own-rooted.
The 2020 blend chimes in at 57% Grenache, 32% Shiraz and 11% dry-grown Moppa Mourvèdre. All components are handpicked, destemmed and fermented as whole berries, while the free-run juice and the skins from the press are separated and aged in separate vessels. The blending takes place after 16 months in seasoned French puncheons.
Type | Red Wine |
---|---|
Varietal(s) | Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Region | Barossa Valley |
Brand | Laughing Jack |
Vintage | 2020 |
Barossa Valley Wine
The Barossa Valley wine region has historically and currently still is one of Australia's most prestigious premium wine producing regions. Located just 60km north east of Adelaide city centre, the climate there is very hot and dry which is perfect for the big bold reds the area is famous for.
A straight Shiraz is what Barossa is most well known for, however Rhone blends, such as Shiraz Cabernet are also very popular. While much less prevalent, white wines (Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon) are planted on the higher altitude hillsides where the ocean breeze cools temperatures down to a level suitable for producing these varieties as well.
Some of Australia's earliest Shiraz plantings can be found here dating as far back as the 1850's. While not always a guarantee of quality, it might be worth seeking out and trying one of the region's "old vine shiraz" if you haven't yet.