Brave Souls 'The Able Seaman' GSM 2022

Brave Souls is the creation of young winemaker Julia Weirich, in collaboration with Simon Cowham and Corey Ryan of Sons of Eden. The name is inspired by the story of the famous Admella shipwreck of 1859 and spotlights the remarkable accounts of those characters who risked their lives to help the survivors. Iconic Australian artist Bruce Goold generously agreed to visualise the tales of these Brave Souls for the project’s labels.

Blending not only three different varieties, but also three different subregions of the Barossa, the wine truly speaks of its origin: Our Grenache comes from the Roland Flat in the Southern end of the Barossa, where our Shiraz vineyard is located on the warmer Western Ridge, perfect for growing fleshy and rounded style Shiraz. Red Terra Rossa soils are giving their characteristics to Mourvedre, which is sourced from the Light Pass. Better than average 2016 winter and spring combined with below average temperatures in December – February resulted in a later harvest than had been seen for many years! We started harvest 3 to 4 weeks later than the recent average. Despite this late start, a long, fine period across April and most of May ensured the varieties ripened well and were harvested in optimum conditions.

The Grenache was handpicked and predominantly destemmed, with 20% of whole bunch contribution. Both, Shiraz and Mourvedre, were fully destemmed. Each varietal vineyard was processed and fermented separately. After a cold soak period of 5 days the fermenters were allowed to naturally warm up to start fermentation. Hand plunged daily for 22 days and pressed off at dryness to a range of seasoned oak barrels. The vineyards were matured separately for 10 months before being blended, naturally clarified and bottled. The diversity of fermentation techniques, together with the vineyard selection, assisted in building complexity and layers of flavour within the blended wine.

Grenache 46%, Shiraz 29%, Mourvedre 25% Crimson red in colour, with lifted youthful redberry, cinnamon and anise spice aromas. A delicious, fleshy and rounded Grenache based wine with silky tannins and texture. A wine approachable upon release, but - like all pedigree GSM wines - has the ability to mature well for the medium to longer term.