Tasting Notes From the Winery for Yangarra McLaren Vale GSM 2024

Our Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre blend is inspired by the traditional estate blends of the southern Rhône. The Grenache is sourced from a combination of young and old bush vines. We select the most elegant and perfumed Shiraz and add Mourvèdre for fragrance and solid tannin structure.

VINTAGE SUMMARY

A normal wet winter was followed by a picturesque dry spring. The long range weather patterns indicated a shift from La Niña towards El Niño, which favours drier and hotter conditions. In these warmer seasons, we adjust our practices to encourage slightly higher yields and more canopy cover. However, the unexpected summer rainfall in December and January presented a unique challenge, resulting in larger bunches and berry development. Warm conditions prevailed through February and early March, promoting ripening of flavours and sugars with the balance we were aiming for. The warmth led to an intense couple of weeks, during which we harvested the majority of the grapes. 

WINEMAKING

67% Grenache, 17% Shiraz, 16% Mourvèdre. Each variety handled separately. Destemmed and selectively sorted in the winery. 50% whole berries retained. Wild yeast ferment. Each variety has a unique maceration. However, the unifying principle is using a very gentle pump over regime, often just wetting the cap, for a minimum of 14 days. Extended maceration for some portions of Grenache. The wine was matured in a mixture of old French oak puncheons and foudre, ceramic eggs and amphora for 8 months. Bottled February 2025.

Region: Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale

Composition: 67% Grenache Noir, 17% Shiraz, 16% Mourvèdre

Age: Grenache: 71 year-old; Shiraz: 18-22 year-old;  Mourvèdre 13 year-old vines

Elevation: 175-210m above sea level

Viticulturalist: Michael Lane

Barrel Aging: Mix of old French oak puncheons and foudre, ceramic eggs and amphora for 11 months

Alcohol 14%

T.A. 5.6g/L

pH 3.48

Winemaker: Peter Fraser

YANGARRA

Yangarra is a biodynamic wine farm in the northeast of the McLaren Vale region in South Australia. Our philosophy centres around producing southern Rhone varietal wines only from our single vineyard estate that are an honest reflection of this special place.

VINEYARD

There are 100 hectares of vineyards at Yangarra in 35 individual blocks. These vineyards are spread amongst an extra 70 hectares of creeks, native vegetation and native corridors.  Each block is defined by different aspects and subtle variations of the sand and Ironstone soils that overlie the ancient North Maslin Sands geological formation. Our vineyard is certified Biodynamic (certification # 11587) with Australian Certified Organic. We have quite a practical approach, with our philosophy focused around healthy and alive soil, which involves no use of synthetic herbicides or fungicides, use of compost and biodynamic preparations, use of sheep in winter to graze under vine, and minimal mechanical soil disruption.

(SKU: YG_GSM_CV)