2021 ARILA GARDENS
GARDENS OF MOPPA
G.S.M

The 2021 vintage for the Barossa will be referred to in time as a classic, producing exceptionally good quality wines. The growing season was set up well with average winter and above average rainfall through August to October allowing for good subsoil moisture and healthy vines. Another rain event in early February was welcome, allowing for a steady and unstressed ripening period. Very mild conditions during berry ripening allowed for slow sugar accumulation and the development of optimum flavour and tannin whilst retaining good natural acidity. Picking decisions were based on acid profile as much as flavour allowing fruit to be harvested with moderate sugar. The result being bright wines with lovely natural balance.

• Harvested 9th of March
• Cold soak for 24 hours
• Small percentage of whole bunch at base of fermenter, remainder whole berries
• Fermented in small open top fermenter for 10 days
• Co fermentation of Grenache, Shiraz & Mataro
• Gentle pump overs and hand plunging
• 14 months in seasoned French oak hogsheads on light lees
• Unfined and filtered prior to bottling ~ Bottled June 2022

pH – 3.49
Acidity – 6.1g/l
Alcohol – 14.4%

This is how you GSM! More fruit driven than the 2020 release, it’s a damn awesome drink.

A riot of raspberries dipped in chocolate. With a lovely length, it’s softly spiced and earthy. Co-fermented (56/39/5) with some whole berries, it saw French oak for 14 months and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Some red apples, red plums and raspberry coulis wriggle to the surface with time in the glass but I keep getting drawn back to the earthy drive and delicately spiced persistent finish. Give me it all.
Drink to eight years+. – Steve Leszczynski, Qwine Reviews (93/100)

As is the case with all of the 2021 Arila Gardens releases the aromatics are so pure and vibrant and speak to the quality of fruit and expression of site above influence of oak at this point in their development. The nose gives a peppery expression red cherry and background plum, if you look hard there are some faint cured meats. The palate is medium bodied with great flow and purity with a gentle and rich weave of spice a constant. Tannins give grip and texture and take on a cherry pip savouriness before the finish is long and layered in red berry fruits.
Optimal Drinking 2022 – 2030. – Patrick Eckel, Wine Reviewer, (94 Points)

The emergence of the wonderful and classic Barossa wines from Arila Gardens has been a highlight over recent years. This blend hails from a mix of local Moppa vineyards with a cepage of Grenache (56%), Shiraz (39%) and Mataro (5%). The fruit underwent cold soaking for 24 hours and a small percentage of whole bunches were placed at the base of the fermenters, the rest being whole berries. Co-fermentation was in a small open top fermenter for 10 days with gentle pumpovers and also hand plunging, before 14 months in seasoned French oak hogsheads on lees. It was then bottled without fining.

Deep magenta in colour, a lovely nose here, just bursting with cherries, florals, spices, cocoa powder, licorice and tobacco leaf notes. Plush and seamless, the palate sees the emergence of chocolate notes. The wine has concentration and focus. Expect it to drink well for the next five to eight years, though it is delicious now. A fine example of the blend.
Drink: 2022-2030. – Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot (94 Points)

Sweetly ripe and fragrant, the inviting bouquet shows dark plum, rich floral, warm spice and toasted nut aromas. The palate offers succulent fruit intensity together with fleshy texture and beautifully flowing mouthfeel, finishing long and sturdy. – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit (95 Points)