Yangarra McLaren Vale GSM 2024: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Perfumed, medium-bodied & Rhône-inspired

A bright, expressive GSM that leans into perfume and line rather than weight. Grenache sits at the centre with lifted red fruits and floral charm, Shiraz brings plush mid-palate shape, and Mourvèdre adds savoury structure and fine tannins. The finish is silky, fresh and effortlessly balanced — a very “Blewitt Springs” take on the classic southern Rhône blend.

Highlights

• Certified organic and certified biodynamic; vegan-suitable
• Single-vineyard estate fruit from Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale
• Blend: 67% Grenache, 17% Shiraz, 16% Mourvèdre
• 50% whole berries retained; wild yeast ferment; very gentle pump-overs
• Matured in old French oak puncheons and foudre, ceramic eggs and amphora for ~8 months; bottled February 2025
• Alcohol 14% | Residual sugar <1 g/L | Total SO2 52 ppm

Tasting Notes

Lifted red cherry and wild strawberry with a perfumed, Grenache-led core, backed by subtle spice and dried-herb savouriness. Shiraz adds a plush, rounded mid-palate, while Mourvèdre brings definition: fine tannins, a faintly earthy edge and a dry, chalky finish. It’s medium-bodied, silky and fresh — designed to drink beautifully now, especially with food.

Winemaking

Each variety is handled separately, destemmed and selectively sorted, with 50% whole berries retained for brightness and perfume. Wild yeast fermentation is guided by a very gentle pump-over regime (often simply wetting the cap) for a minimum of 14 days, with some extended maceration for Grenache. The wine is then matured in a mix of old French oak puncheons and foudre, ceramic eggs and amphora for around eight months before bottling in February 2025.

Vineyard & Vintage

From Yangarra’s single estate in Blewitt Springs, where ancient North Maslin Sands and elevation (around 175–210m) help Rhône varieties hold fragrance and line. A normal wet winter led into a dry spring; unexpected summer rainfall increased bunch and berry size, then warmth through February and early March delivered balanced ripening. Most fruit came in over an intense couple of weeks, capturing both flavour and freshness.

Why We Love It

Because it’s GSM with real polish: vibrant fruit, aromatic lift and savoury structure in a wine that never feels overworked. It’s generous enough for a crowd, but detailed enough for a proper dinner — and it’s a brilliant “one bottle does it all” red for grazing boards, roast chicken, lamb, and tomatoey pasta.

Food Pairing

Ideal with lamb, grilled sausages, roast chicken, ratatouille, mushrooms and tomato-based pastas. The spice-and-herb edge also suits chorizo, capsicum, and anything cooked over flame.

Try matching this wine with →

• Lamb kofta with yoghurt & herbs — Find a Recipe
• Ratatouille — Find a Recipe
• Sausage traybake — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A “feed the table” red with a little extra finesse. Decant it if you’re feeling fancy, or just pour and let it open as dinner unfolds. It’s equally at home with a relaxed Sunday roast or a midweek pasta night when you want something that tastes considered without feeling heavy.

Cellaring

Excellent now for its perfume and brightness, and will drink well over 4–7 years as the fruit settles into more savoury, earthy complexity and the tannins knit further.

Producer

Yangarra is a single-vineyard estate in Blewitt Springs, at the northern edge of McLaren Vale, renowned for biodynamic farming and Rhône-variety mastery. The estate is a mosaic of blocks across sand and ironstone soils over the ancient North Maslin Sands, with native vegetation corridors woven through the property. The result is a house style defined by perfume, fine structure and a clear sense of place — especially in Grenache-led blends like this GSM.

Related Wines To Try →

• From Yangarra, brighter and chillable — Yangarra Circle Field Blend 2024
• Old-vine Grenache depth and perfume — Yangarra Old Vine Grenache 2024
• Another excellent GSM-style blend — Kalleske Clarry's Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2024

FAQ

What does GSM stand for?

GSM is Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre — a classic southern Rhône-inspired blend. Grenache brings perfume and bright red fruit, Shiraz adds depth and mid-palate weight, and Mourvèdre contributes savoury structure and tannin.

Is this wine dry?

Yes. It’s a dry style with residual sugar listed as <1 g/L, finishing savoury and fresh.

Should I decant it?

Optional, but helpful. A short decant (20–40 minutes) lifts the aromatics and smooths the tannin edges, especially if you’re serving it with food.

Should I serve it slightly chilled?

You can. A light chill (10–15 minutes in the fridge) makes the fruit feel brighter and the finish even more refreshing, particularly in warmer weather.

Is it biodynamic and vegan?

Yes — it’s certified organic and certified biodynamic, and listed as vegan-suitable.

Who will love it most?

If you enjoy medium-bodied reds with fragrance, spice and savoury structure (rather than heavy, jammy styles), this is a great fit — especially for Mediterranean food and relaxed hosting.

(SKU: YG_GSM_CV)