Tasting Notes From the Winery for Yangarra McLaren Vale GSM 2023

2023 GSM

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

The growing season began with significantly higher than average rainfall. The cool, wet conditions continued through Spring, setting us up for balanced canopies and lower yields. La Niña weather patterns forecast cooler temperatures and continued rainfall for harvest. We were able to enhance vineyard practices such as shoot thinning and leaf removal to promote airflow, reduce mildew and increase sun exposure to bunches. From our experience, a cold vintage in a warm region can produce some of the best wines. Due to the cultural practices implemented, we were able to pick the majority of the vineyard in a three-week window prior to Easter, completed in early April. Wines produced from this vintage will be some of the prettiest and most delicate from the Estate.

WINEMAKING

42% Grenache, 33% Shiraz, 25% 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 2024.

Region: Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale

Composition: 42% Grenache Noir, 33% Shiraz, 25% 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 13.5%

T.A. 6.3 g/L

pH 3.45

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)