2021 ARILA GARDENS
GARDENS OF MOPPA
SHIRAZ

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.

• Hand-picked – 27-28 February 2020
• Cold soak 24 hours at 12 °C
• Splattering of whole bunch at base of fermenter
• Remainder whole berry
• Fermentation in small open top fermenter for 11 days with gentle pump overs and occasional hand plunging
• Gentle pressing via bag press
• Maturation – 14 months in 100% French oak with 40% 1 year old.
• Racked from barrel and filtered prior to bottling
• Wine analysis
  pH – 3.56
  Acidity – 6.3 g/L
  Alcohol – 14.5 %
  Residual Sugar – Dry: 0.4 g/L

Just imagine squished red berries and mulberries rolled in a dark chocolate crumb and that’s pretty much what’s going on here.

With a cerise hue, it slides through the mouth with ease. Melted chocolate feels add to that smooth delivery. Some blueberries and ripe raspberries rise up with time in the glass but there is no escaping the silky and sexy feels. Delicate spices caress the mouth, almost seamless in flow. Clove and cardamon hide in the background but I keep coming back to that charismatic delivery. A fantastic expression of Barossa Valley Shiraz.

Drink to ten years+ – Steve Leszczynski, Qwine Reviews 94/100.

A pretty purple in the glass with beautifully floral and expressive red berry fruits that are led by plum and raspberry with a touch of bitter dark chocolate somewhere in the background.

The palate is vibrant and moreish with great carry of plum and black cherry that sees flowing tannins taking on some liquorice and violets. There is a textural finish that brings things to a close with faint pepper amongst driving and pure black fruits.
Optimal Drinking 2022-2040. – Patrick Eckel, Wine Reviewer, 94 points.

Similar winemaking here for this utterly beguiling Barossa Shiraz, with a tiny “splattering” of whole bunches at the base of the small open top fermenter with the remainder being whole berries. There had previously been a period of 24 hours cold soaking at 12°C. Fermentation took 11 days, again gentle pumpovers and occasional hand plunging before gentle pressing by bag press. Maturation was for 14 months in French oak, 40% of which was one-year-old.

Dark colour, an almost lurid purple. Exuberant yet balanced nose, with spices, mocha, cocoa powder and coffee beans. Plush and luscious, just what one loves in good Barossa Shiraz. Good focus and fine acidity carrying the wine. Nicely balanced, silky tannins and a lingering finish, this will age well for at least 8 years. Love it.
Drink: 2022-2030 – Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot, 94 Points.

Richly fruited and instantly appealing with black/blueberry, violet, cedary oak and dark chocolate characters, it’s sumptuous and flavoursome in the mouth delivering plump mouthfeel and fine-grained tannins. Delectably appealing, it’s firmly structured and lingering. – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 95 Points.