2023 Johann's Garden

Barossa Valley

Grenache Mataro

Crimson with bright red hues. Fragrant aromas of raspberry, cherry and plum with lifted notes of white pepper, anise, crushed rosemary and lavender and violet florals. The palate is juicy and lush, with a vibrant, red-fruited core and layers of inky ironstone and mace, balanced by a finely structured long finish. 

$65.00
$65.00
Crimson with bright red hues. Fragrant aromas of raspberry, cherry and plum with lifted notes of white pepper, anise,...

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BACKGROUND

This wine is named as a tribute to the early German Silesian community of the Barossa, many of whom carried the first name of Johann. Their toil, perseverance and conservatism in hardship has meant that the many generations that followed rejoiced in the riches of their prudent efforts. Their traditions and culture have survived to this day, including the winemaking techniques of open-top fermentation used in this grenache mataro blend. The wine is produced from low-yielding Barossa Old Vines, categorised by the Barossa Old Vine Charter as vines that are equal or greater than 35 years old. These gnarled, bush and trellised vines from selected vineyards in the Barossa Valley are grown in soils ranging from friable clay loam with limestone fragments, to deep sandy loam over clay. Barossa growers traditionally referred to their vineyard as their ‘garden’, from the German der Weingarten.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Varieties: 60% Grenache and 40% Mataro

Harvest Date: 13 - 24 April

Alcohol: 14.5%

Vintage Rating: Excellent vintage

Maturation: The grenache and mataro were vinified separately and matured in 100% seasoned oak hogsheads for 7 months prior to blending and bottling.

Cellaring Potential: 15+ years (from vintage).

VINTAGE

By late winter of 2022 the soil profiles had been refilled with well above average rainfall, which continued throughout spring. Shoot thinning during the growing season to open up the canopy helped to overcome disease pressure. Dry and cool conditions in December continued throughout summer, causing late flowering and impacting fruit set. Light rain events in autumn resulted in a slower ripening period in the lead up to harvest, which provided great flavour development and acid retention. Despite the challenges of the season, yields were above average with larger berry size compensating for the poor set. The 2023 vintage will be remembered for excellent quality wines with fruit purity, good structure, mature tannins and great length. 

TASTING NOTES

This wine is named as a tribute to the early German Silesian community of the Barossa, many of whom carried the first name of Johann. Their toil, perseverance and conservatism in hardship has meant that the many generations that followed rejoiced in the riches of their prudent efforts. Their traditions and culture have survived to this day, including the winemaking techniques of open-top fermentation used in this grenache mataro blend. The wine is produced from low-yielding Barossa Old Vines, categorised by the Barossa Old Vine Charter as vines that are equal or greater than 35 years old. These gnarled, bush and trellised vines from selected vineyards in the Barossa Valley are grown in soils ranging from friable clay loam with limestone fragments, to deep sandy loam over clay. Barossa growers traditionally referred to their vineyard as their ‘garden’, from the German der Weingarten.

Varieties: 60% Grenache and 40% Mataro

Harvest Date: 13 - 24 April

Alcohol: 14.5%

Vintage Rating: Excellent vintage

Maturation: The grenache and mataro were vinified separately and matured in 100% seasoned oak hogsheads for 7 months prior to blending and bottling.

Cellaring Potential: 15+ years (from vintage).

By late winter of 2022 the soil profiles had been refilled with well above average rainfall, which continued throughout spring. Shoot thinning during the growing season to open up the canopy helped to overcome disease pressure. Dry and cool conditions in December continued throughout summer, causing late flowering and impacting fruit set. Light rain events in autumn resulted in a slower ripening period in the lead up to harvest, which provided great flavour development and acid retention. Despite the challenges of the season, yields were above average with larger berry size compensating for the poor set. The 2023 vintage will be remembered for excellent quality wines with fruit purity, good structure, mature tannins and great length. 

96 Points
"A glorious combination of aromatic Grenache and Mataro from the Barossa Valley. Each variety was vinified separately and matured in seasoned oak for seven months before coming together. Fragrant floral red fruits, with a little brick dust and spicy dried herb. The medium weight palate captures every bit of the fruit intensity of these varieties before releasing them on an effortless journey to a long and poised finish."

RAY JORDAN, WINEPILOT.COM

94 Points
"Ripe wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry fruit tones are underlined by hints of five-spice, ginger cake, mocha, violets, charcuterie, cold tea and earth. Quite spacious and detailed in '23 with a ginger-spice flick to the red and dark fruits. Finishes savoury and persistent."

DAVE BROOKES, HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION

94 Points
"Aromatically, wild raspberry, white pepper, plum and warm earth sit high-toned, giving way to darker layers of cherry, anise and a savoury, gamey note that speaks of Mataro. With air, florals emerge—lavender and dried violet lending lift and perfume… Raspberry compote, baked plum and dark cherry lead the charge, wrapped in savoury spice and a faint sandy edge. Firm, chalky tannins frame the wine without weighing it down, drawing through...

TOM KLINE, WINEPILOT.COM

93 Points
"This 2023 release is right up there for quality, its raspberry and red cherry flavours cut with sweet spice, rust, earth and redcurrant, though there are pretty floral characters dancing throughout. This wine is both fresh and solid at once. It’s also drinking like a charm right now, though it will hold and mature for quite some years to come."

CAMPBELL MATTINSON, CAMPBELLMATTINSON.COM

92 Points
"Pretty and complex aromas of dried flowers, blueberry, raspberry, anise, Asian spice and pot-pourri. Mid-weight, fleshy and mouth-filling, with a core of bright blue fruits and spice. The tannins are firm and shapely and the acidity has plenty of life and kick."

AARON BRASHER, THE REAL REVIEW