d'Arenberg The Classics Wild Pixie Shiraz 2020 x 12
The wild pixie Shiraz 2019
McLaren Vale, Shiraz (94%) Roussanne (6%)
The Name
In 2006, Chester added a small parcel of
Roussanne to The Stump Jump White. A
wine journalist described him as a ‘wild
pixie’ for concocting such a crazy blend.
Taking that as a compliment, Chester went
on to make an even more audacious blend
with Roussanne, this time combining it with
Shiraz.
The Vintage
Winter was quite dry, with sporadic light
showers that didn’t penetrate the soil very
deeply. This impacted budburst but was
managed with some irrigation. During
spring there was quite a strong wind event
around the time of flowering, which upset
some of the growth, especially in Shiraz.
Summer was hot, with an extreme heat
wave and a record high temperature of
46.6C, which burnt some varieties like Petit
Verdot. Most other varies managed to escape
unscathed, which was surprising. Yields
were down on most varieties. The quality,
however, was excellent, exhibiting very
varietal characteristics. Ferments had to be
taken off a little earlier with higher sugar
levels because of these strong tannins.
Harvest dates
Residual sugar
19 Feb - 8 Mar
1.8 g/l
The Winemaking
Small batches of grapes are gently crushed
and then transferred to open fermenters,
where the Roussanne skins and Shiraz are
co-fermented. Foot treading is undertaken
two thirds of the way through fermentation,
the wine is basket pressed and transferred
to old French oak to complete fermentation
and mature. The barrel ferments are aged
on lees, there is no racking until final
blending and no fining or filtration.
The Characteristics
Wonderfully aromatic, with violets, dusty
clay pot, and some earthiness. The palate is
loaded with herbal tomato leaf, liquorice,
black olive brine. Fine cherry tomatoes.
Black cherries. A fresh acidity, but very well
integrated into the wine. Mellow and velvety
with soft tannins. A lovely long lingering
finish.
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