2020 Jaensch Block Shiraz

The Jaensch Block vineyard sits across a high ridge at an altitude of 320 – 340 meters above sea level at Moppa in the Barossa Valley’s far north west. The diverse and undulating site features shallow clay topsoils over a layer of quartz stone along the lower section of the ridge, which benefits from cooling gully breezes. On the upper reaches of the vineyard, the vines grow in shallow topsoils scattered with ancient ironstone deposits. More exposed to the weather, the upper section ripens earlier demanding a diligent approach to harvest planning to ensure even fruit ripeness.

The two parcels are blended to produce a deeply coloured, powerful wine with great ‘flavour drive’ down the palate. The parcel from the lower section produces flavours more in the blue fruit flavour spectrum with silky tannin and gamey/meaty undertones. The structure of wine from the upper section is more intense and savoury spiced. The silken tannins make the wine approachable in youth, but we would expect the Jaensch Block Shiraz from this exceptional Barossa red wine vintage to mature for 15 – 25 years.