121 Settlers Shiraz

On the nose, we find a broad depth of dark and red fruits- concentrated plums and blackberry supported by a backbone of elegant oak with underlying nuances of cedar and spice. Fruit carries through on the palate with luscious berry fruits and graphite, with amazing structure from the red clay soil. Fine, velvety tannins carry through on the lengthy finish. Will benefit from decanting. Drinks well now, or will benefit from cellaring for a further 10+ years.

Vintage

2020

Grape variety breakdown

A considered winemaking process is all that is required, with the aim to drive the attributes and characteristics of the vineyard into the wine. Juice is partially gravity flowed, with gentle pipeage to extract tannins, then the wine is aged in a combination of new and second-use French Oak for 16–18 months. The result is a full-bodied but linear and finessed wine – attributes that are reflective of the site. This is classically Barossa in style and highlights why Barossa Shiraz is so highly acclaimed. It has produced truly exciting wines, capable of years in the cellar. Approachable now but will continue to evolve elegantly in the long term.

Technical Details

Alcohol: 14.5% | pH: | Acidity: | Volume: 750mls

Background

By 1850, Krondorf village comprised 121 Settlers and their families. These 121 souls formed the beginning of a new community that shaped the future of the Barossa Valley. Their spirit is remembered through the rare, meticulously selected old vine vineyards with vine age of at least 35 years. Typically, these grapes are intensely flavoured and concentrated, with a fine natural and elemental balance, supple tannin quality and integrated acidity

Cellaring potential

Drinks well now, or will benefit from cellaring for a further 10+ years.

Bouquet

On the nose, we find a broad depth of dark and red fruits- concentrated plums and blackberry supported by a backbone of elegant oak with underlying nuances of cedar and spice

Vineyard Notes

These 65-year old grapes harvested for the 121 Settlers, were picked from a single site in the southern end of the Barossa. The site lies in the St Jakobi area, over the western ridge of sub-region, Lyndoch. Planted over a mix of red clay and loam, they are early-ripening grapes, which further protects them from marginal weather influence. The rustic, dense soils drive opulence and structure within the resultant wines. The old vines are low yielding, with small berries that give concentrated fruit flavours. Vines are tended to using a minimalistic approach, whereby all treatments to the grapes are reasoned and used only when absolutely necessary. The protection of soil and vine health helps to reflect the site within the wine.

The 2020 growing season in the Barossa Valley was distinctive and challenging due to several key factors: Below-Average Rainfall: The season was notably dry, with rainfall significantly below the long-term average. This lack of precipitation resulted in limited water availability for the vines, which added stress but also contributed to smaller, more concentrated berries. Heatwaves: The Barossa Valley experienced several intense heatwaves, with temperatures often soaring well above average. These extreme temperatures accelerated the ripening process and required careful vineyard management to protect the grapes from heat damage and dehydration. Bushfires: While the Barossa Valley itself was not directly impacted by the devastating bushfires that swept across Australia during the 2019-2020 summer, there were concerns about smoke taint from fires in surrounding regions. However, the Barossa largely avoided significant smoke exposure. Early Harvest: Due to the combination of dry conditions and high temperatures, the harvest began earlier than usual. This early picking was necessary to preserve the freshness, acidity, and balance of the grapes. Lower Yields: The challenging growing conditions led to reduced yields compared to average years. The smaller crop size resulted in more concentrated flavours and higher quality fruit, although the quantity was limited. Quality: Despite the difficult conditions, the quality of the grapes harvested was generally high. The wines produced from the 2020 vintage in the Barossa Valley were marked by their intensity, concentration, and vibrant acidity. Red varietals, in particular, showed depth and richness, while white varietals retained good acidity and freshness.

The 2020 growing season in the Barossa Valley was marked by dryness, heat, and early harvesting, leading to lower yields but high-quality, concentrated wines with excellent potential for both immediate enjoyment and ageing.