95 Points – Andrew Caillard, The Vintage Journal
94 Points – Steve Leszczynski, QWine Reviews
2020 ARILA GARDENS
GARDENS OF MOPPA
SHIRAZ
$45.00
Our Gardens of Moppa wines are an expression of the region from which we call home. A blend of vineyards, or as we like to call them gardens, from the heart of Moppa. Fragrant wines with personality, crafted with a gentle touch and a respect for these classic varietals from this renowned region.
Out of stock
Tasting Note
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Region: Moppa, Barossa Valley
Colour: Deep magenta purple.
Nose: Aromatic blue and black fruits; boysenberry, blood plum, blackberry, supported by subtle malt cream and notes of Dutch cocoa.
Palate: Lively fruit driven frame with loads of upfront berry flavours filling the mouth and continuing through the mid and finish. Harmonious, fine long talcy line of tannin extends the palate; morish and salivating and all the time supported by bright fruit flavours. The oak influence is balanced contributing savoury complexity and texture, allowing regional characters to shine.
Cellaring potential: 10+ years
Vintage Conditions
The 2020 growing season was a challenging one viticulturally. Below average rainfall in winter and spring of 2019, combined with wind at flowering and a hot dry December and early January severely impacted yields.
Fewer bunches than typical combined with small bunch and berry size made for limited quantities of intensely flavoured fruit. Rain on the 1 of February was a saviour to the vines, allowing fruit to gradually ripen with good flavour, colour, and tannin development, in sync with sugar accumulation.
Fruit for this Shiraz was harvested from the 27 to the 28 of February to capture vibrant fruit flavours and natural acidity.
Winemaking
- 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
Reviews
The colour here is a near opaque purple. The nose suggests that the wine is not as immediately generous as the GSM, more brooding and coiled, but that does not mean that there is not plenty to love. There is at least as much power and intensity here, perhaps a touch more. The flavours weave through black fruits, hints of game, dark chocolate, cloves and succulent blackberries. The wine is seamless and superbly balanced, with firm tannins and very good grip. This is a beautifully crafted, first class, young Barossa Shiraz with impressive length. It needs five to ten years to really do it justice but there is, despite its brooding nature, enough plushness to ensure that you will not be disappointed opening it now. But there is more to come for those who are patient.. – Ken Gargett – Wine Pilot (96 Points)
Deep crimson. Fresh dark cherry, mulberry, blackberry aromas with mocha / espresso notes. Voluminous and inky with smooth dark cherry, mulberry, blackberry fruits, fine chocolatey textures, lovely underlying mocha / roasted coffee notes and long fresh integrated acidity. Finishes grippy firm, long and fruity. – Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal (95 Points)
Raspberries dipped in chocolate. The goodness you need in your life. This is a smart wine. Very smart. Feed it to me.
Petals, well-managed oak, I feel like I’m floating on a cloud. Density and pretty factor consume you all at the same time. Blackberries and blue fruits dance with absolute ease. Dark chocolate fuses with super fine baking spices. Drying, cocoa-like tannins are puffy and linger on a persistent finish. One glass just isn’t enough. An excellent Barossa Shiraz.. – Steve Leszczynski – QWine Reviews (94 Points)
