ACJ
2020
Pirramimma was founded by Alexander Campbell Johnston in 1892 and has been owned and operated by the Johnston family ever since. The Johnston family arrived in South Australia in 1839 and in 1892 Alexander, the tenth of thirteen children, purchased 97 hectares of rich farmland southeast of the then fledgling village of McLaren Vale. He named his land Pirramimma, an Aboriginal phrase meaning "the moon and the stars." The vineyard soils vary from sandy, on the rise, to rich dark loam on the flat....
See the PIRRAMIMMA detail page for more information on this brand
This limited and rare ACJ release pays homage to Pirramimma's founder, Alexander Campbell Johnston. Only produced in selected years that display outstanding varietal and regional characteristics. A blend of Cabernet from our acclaimed Basket Weave contoured vineyard, and Petit Verdot from the original Geoff Johnston plantings in the Katunga vineyard of the mid 1980’s. The bouquet has blackberry, violets, juniper, plum and toasted cedary oak. The palate is rich and powerful with superbly balanced French oak tannins integrating with intense dark red fruits and briary cassis delivering a lingering mouthfeel. The wine has a beautifully integrated seam of ripe tannin and long sustained finish. Aerate extensively to drink now or will age gracefully with correct cellaring.
A 42/31/20/7% blend of petit verdot, shiraz, cabernet and merlot. Still deeply vividly coloured, this is full on, full-bodied stuff, the deep wells of black fruits encased in a shroud of tannin and oak. All the usual McLaren Vale bibs and bobs, with licorice, allspice and dark chocolate. To be approached with caution and respect around '25.
See detailed press review