As the noble red grape of Spain’s north, particularly the Rioja region, Tempranillo has gradually been planted in Australian regions with varying results. It is a grape well suited to cool climates and Jo’s mission to focus on alternative varietals combined with the success the variety has already achieved in the region made it a no-brainer for Jo to include Tempranillo in her line-up. The result is an intriguing dry red wine that loves good food.
Production Notes
The 2022 vintage is composed of an assortment of different clones from the Greenacre and Nicholson’s Vineyards. A variety of techniques were used for fermentation including inclusion of whole berry and crushed fruit, along with some cold soak and extended maceration. Most ferments were gently plunged twice daily and pressed out after reaching sugar dryness. A smaller percentage of parcels were worked a little harder and left for extended maceration. Individual parcels were kept separate and matured in a combination of Flexcube and seasoned oak for 9 months. The wine was then blended, filtered and bottled in January 2023.
Vintage Snapshot
A very cool growing season drove the wine right into the red fruit spectrum, producing a wine with abundant fruit and great natural acidity, with this vintage demonstrating less herbal and savoury characters than previous years.
Tasting Notes
Vivid ruby red in colour. Vibrant and perfumed in the glass with highlights of red cherry and redcurrant. The palate displays attractive morello cherry paired with fine powdery tannins and holds lovely acid balance.
Optimal Drinking Window – 2023 to 2030
Technical details
Vineyards: 77% Greenacres Vineyard, Merriang South
23% Nicholson Vineyard, Porepunkah
Region: Alpine Valleys
Alcohol: 13.5%
Volume made: 535 dozen
Winemaker Jo Marsh and Glenn James
Reviews
"Another ringing endorsement for getting the Alpine Valleys and tempranillo together. They suit each other's temperament, tempranillo responding to the cooler clime by producing a firm tannin base upon which to build a dark and brooding wine. Blackberries, dried herbs, bramble, spice and earth. Tight as a drum but give it time." Awarded 94 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 02 August 2023
"Good tempranillo. Very good, in fact. Bright acidity twirls lilac, root spice and blueberry notes across a web of well wrought tannins. The finish, toothsome and long. Thoroughly impressive, by virtue of poise, crunch and mid-weighted oomph." Awarded 92 points, Ned Goodwin, JamesSuckling.com - published 20 January 2024
