Tasting Notes
Richard Tarlton was favourite among jesters to Queen Elizabeth I. Tarlton was the first to achieve national celebrity as a comedian and enjoyed a successful career in theatre as a leading member of the Queen’s Players. As a writer, he was the author of popular ballads and plays. ‘Jester’ celebrates the era where boredom was alleviated through humour and the banal through intellect.
Vineyard • The grapes come from the Willunga district of McLaren Vale, where the heavy grey loam soils over sandstone, intermixed with black Biscay clay, combined with the maritime climate, contribute to an even ripening period and the development of rich fruit flavours and ripe tannins. Yield is around 4 tons an acre.
Winemaking • Each parcel of fruit for Jester is fermented on skins for 5 to 6 days at a cool temperature to enhance the pure berry fruit. The wine is then pressed and undergoes partial barrel fermentation. A natural malolactic fermentation is completed before the wine is racked. Aged in 2-4 year old French oak for 9 months
Style • Intense, textured and showing pure fruit flavours, Jester Shiraz is our baby G.A.M using the same barrels in which G.A.M was previously aged. Jester Shiraz is made to be upfront and approachable for early appreciation, and delivers excellent quality for the price.
Region • McLaren Vale
Variety • 100% Shiraz
Closure • Stelvin
Colour • Opaque dark crimson colour with deep black crimson hue
Nose • Blackberry, liquorice and dark plums
Palate • Displays abundant flavours of liquorice, blackberry and dark fruits. Exceptional balance, refinement and generousity of flavour.
Food Match • Eye fillet, wrapped in pancetta served with fennel, courgette and capsicum ratatouille
Jester Shiraz
Vermentino | Rose | Cabernet | Shiraz
09 | 08 | 07 | 06 | 05 | 04 | 02 | 01
Vintage 2009 • A thirteen day heat wave in late January and early February saw the 2009 Vintage begin in first week of February. Cool, dry conditions during berry ripening in most of the district were conducive to excellent flavour, colour and phenolic development. In general, the timing of the heatwave affected vineyards with lighter canopies and crop loads and those on thin or highly reflective soils and crops in the earlier ripening areas. Due to the early start to vintage, there were some difficulties handling both reds and whites through the wineries and this resulted in overall volume in the region being below average. Cabernet Sauvignon excelled, showing strong varietal characters, full bodied, balanced palate weight and an amazing perfume.
Tasting Note • Deep cherry jube in colour, the 2007 Jester Shiraz continues to show bright, vibrant, rich fruit. A revelation of blue and black berries, there is mocha and a hint of spice on the nose. The palate exhibits focused, genuine fruit and subtle, yet structured, tannins support a velvety elongated finish.
Cellaring • Will cellar well for 6 to 8 years.