First Drop
Matt ‘Gantos’ Gant and John ‘JR’ Retsas are two mates with a lifelong commitment to making kick-arse booze. These are wines with flavour, texture and a splash of funk, made with the best fruit from unique patches of the Barossa, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale.
The Eusebio of the classic Portuguese varieties, Touriga Nacional is ideally suited to the maritime climate of McLaren Vale. A fast, lively red with a great right foot, this vinho do Vale is made for immediate enjoyment at all team events. We hope it kicks a goal for you.
Colour
Vibrant red
Bouquet
Lifted summer berry fruits with an Earl Grey, floral lift
Palate
Brimming with red fruit flavours – rasbs and strawbs, and a refreshing Earl Grey finish
Grub Match
Hot wings, seafood skewers Cellaring Drink up, but also a 5-8 year proposition.
Vintage
A tale of hope and glory. Good rains throughout much of 2011 setup vineyards with good soil and vine health going into the growing season. Warmer and drier conditions through October and November followed, which led to strong and healthy shoot growth, and by December, below average crops were evident due to less and smaller bunches. We were full of hope. January and February were characteristically dry, but continued the trend of below-average temperatures. There was a rain event in early March, however it didn’t cause any disease issues, and actually refreshed many vineyards and allowed them to ripen steadily. Not surprisingly the cool ripening conditions delivered fruit with intense aromas and flavours, and allowed every site to show its full potential and individuality in the resulting wines. 2012 was a privileged vintage. After the mother of all harvests the previous year, we were rewarded with outstanding quality across all varieties, whilst working with old friends (TSW and JP) in our new ‘Home of the Brave’ winery. It will sit among the greatest vintages, perhaps the most glorious! Truly blessed and thankful.
Vineyard
Joch’s vineyard is in the Willunga foothills in the south of the McLaren Vale - 130m above sea level on deep alluvial stony clay loam.
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