Tasting Notes
Vermentino's name is derived from the French court of Philip the Good of Burgundy, Madame d'Or, served as a fool in the 1400's. The belief in medieval days that buffoonery was one of few professions open to women is dispelled by this beautiful golden haired dwarf Jester. She was often described as pugnacious and outspoken conversely she possessed an exquisite voice and a devotion to music and dance. As she was openly favoured by Queen Isabella, Madame d'Or wore only the finest tailored attire, most notably a long dress of green Kendal woollen cloth.
Vineyard • The vineyards are in the Willunga district in the southern end of McLaren Vale. The heavy grey loam soil over sandstone, intermixed with black Biscay clay, combined with a maritime climate, contribute to an even ripening period and the development of rich fruit flavours and ripe tannins.
Region • McLaren Vale
Variety • 100% Vermentino
Closure • Stelvin
Nose • Fresh lifted fruit, with notes of melon and citrus and a slightly spiced edge
Palate • Classic minerality and texture is complemented by refreshing balanced acidity rounding out to an elongated finish
Cellaring • Drink young and fresh
Food Match • Grilled Scallops served with mango, coriander and lime salsa.
Jester Vermentino
Vermentino | Rose | Cabernet | Shiraz
11 | 10
Jester Vermentino| 2011 (734k)
Tasting Notes • Vintage 2011 was the first cool vintage for several years. A mild summer followed by early February rain resulted in late veraison and delayed fruit ripening. The region faced unusually high disease pressure due to the wet conditions. In the Mitolo's Lopresti vineyards sound canopy management, which included shoot thinning early in the season and bunch thinning at veraison, allowed for enhanced air flow eliminating the threat of disease. The mild conditions led to a prolonged ripening period creating intense varietal flavours in all varieties. These intense flavours appeared at lower sugar levels than previous vintages and were coupled with naturally balanced acidity. This was ideal for the earlier picked Vermentino and Sangiovese for Rose which were harvested in early March with powerful varietal character balanced with natural acidity.
Style • Jester Vermentino is crisp and fresh. The grapes are harvested early, which results in lower sugars, balanced acidity and an excellent flavour profile. At the completion of fermentation the wine shows a seemlessly dry style with extremely approachable alcohol.
Winemaking • The fruit for 2011 Jester Vermentino was crushed, destemmed and chilled to 3C ( 34F) prior to pressing. Minimal skin contact has resulted in minimised phenolic pickup. The juice was cold settled for five days before being racked and yeasted with an Alsace derived yeast clone. It was then fermented ultra-cool at between 8 and 12C (46 and 53F)for 16 days. Once fermentation concluded the wine was immediately cold stabilised and filtered before bottling.
Harvest Date • 17th March 2011
Bottling Date • 18th May 2011