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Sourced from a low-yielding vineyard planted in 1962 by Albert and Ian Kalleske, this old-vine Barossa is a model in its class. The three-acre plot is located on the fabled southern slope of Moppa Hill, where Laughing Jack is one of only three growers. The contoured site is at 350m elevation, and the deep-rooted, old vines sit on ancient, sandy soils with orange clay and quartz stone underneath.
The fruit is always hand-picked and the 2019 was partially destemmed (76%) to whole berries with the balance remaining as whole bunches. After 14 days on skins in a three-tonne open fermenter (with twice-daily hand plunging), the wine was basket-pressed to barrel. It spent 19 months in seasoned French oak (60%) and seasoned American puncheons (40%).
Liquorice, spice and all things nice, there’s a lot of stuffing to the 2019. Blue-floral perfume, red fruits and brooding power work alongside an impressive tannin profile and mouth-watering acidity. It’s powerful and impeccably balanced with a dense fruity core and plenty of savoury tones. Complex, layered, mouthcoating and delicious—an excellent release.