ACJ
2010
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
ACJ is only produced if selected parcels display outstanding varietal and regional characters. The exceptional 2010 vintage provided such fruit for the fourth ACJ release of 500 dozen. The wine is a blend of 42% Petit Verdot from the Siberia Block, 31% Shiraz from the War Horse Block, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from our Homestead Vineyard and 7% Merlot from the Basket Weaved Katunga Vineyard.
The bouquet displays briary blackberry, prune violets and black olive with hints of subtle vanillin oak and musk. On the palate intense black cherry, blueberry, liquorice and spicy black plum are complemented by hints of red currant and cedary oak. All enveloped in fine grain savoury French oak. The wine has a beautifully integrated seam of firm tannin and long sustained finish.
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