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The mean gravelly soils and invigorating climes of Mount Barker of the Australian southwest, were identified during the 1960s by the world's leading viticulturalists, as a place uncannily similar to the great terroirs and clime of Bordeaux. The pioneering vines of Forest Hill were the first ever planted here, sired from rootstock of ancient Houghton clones, inaugurally vintaged by the illustrious Jack Mann in 1972. The Cabernet and Riesling of Forest Hill were promptly distinguished by multiple trophy victories and praised by gentleman James Halliday as the most remarkable wines to come out of the Australian west. Forest Hill have remained a source of the most profoundly structured, intensely focused, yet softly spoken range of wines. Powerful yet disciplined Cabernet, generously proportioned Malbec, august Chardonnay.. Softly spoken wonders from the west»
Samuel Smith migrated from Dorset England to Angaston in the colony of South Australia circa 1847, he took up work as a gardener with George Fife Angas, the virtual founder of the colony. In 1849, Smith bought thirty acres and planted vines by moonlight, the first ever vintages of Yalumba. One of his most enduring legacies were some unique clones of Shiraz, which were ultimately sown to the illustrious Mount Edelstone vineyard in 1912. Angas's great grandchild Ron Angas acquired cuttings from the Edelstone site and migrated the precious plantings to his pastures at Hutton Vale. The land remains in family hands, a graze for flocks of some highly fortunate lamb. In between the paddocks, blocks of Sam Smith's experimental vines yield a harvest of the most spectacular Shiraz to be found in all Eden Valley... The return of rootstock to garden of eden»
Marlborough viticulture owes much to the import of emigres from war torn Europe. Many were skilled fruit growers while others were passionate winemakers. They quickly discovered the magical affinity between aromatic white varietals and the mistral valleys of Te Wai Pounamu... Match a meal with maria»

Pirramimma White Label Petit Verdot CONFIRM VINTAGE

Petit Verdot McLaren Vale South Australia
Pirramimma can boast the first vineyard in Australia dedicated to Petit Verdot, it remains the largest and most productive. Pirramimma's efforts at Petit Verdot have amassed much international acclaim, prompting notable Swiss connoisseur Rene Gabriel to ponder, is there any better example of Petit Verdot in the world? Double decant for early drinking, its tender tannins make the perfect match to crumbed yearling cutlet or delicately seasoned spring lamb.
Available by the dozen
Case of 12
$359.00
Geoff Johnston studied in France where his strong interest in the unique Petit Verdot Bordeaux varietal first evolved. Johnston's initial trials with the grape have expanded to over ten hectares of mature vines. A pure varietal wine from two Pirramimma estate properties with the focus on a backbone of the best parcels grown to the Katunga estate vineyard, planted exclusively to Petit Verdot vines grafted on own rootstock, grown to sandy loam soils. Grapes are hand pressed and vinified in the original Pirramimma concrete vats before transferring to a selection of French and American oak barriques for completion of ferments, followed by two years maturation.
Deep purple colour. Violets on the bouquet, blackberries and briar, kirsch cherries and cigar box oak. Powerful concentrated palate exhibits spicy plum and forest floor, tangy cherry, hints of mulberry and vanilla bean. The long lingering tannins and subtle oak are beautifully balanced. A wine with great length of flavour and sustained finish.
Pirramimma
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Pirramimma
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'

Pirramimma

The Pirramimma Winery is located just a short distance south of the small township of McLaren Vale, about 40 kilometres south of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. Tempered by the cooling breezes of the nearby Gulf St. Vincent, McLaren vale has a mild Mediterranean climate which, coupled with the complex rich soil structure, has attained international fame for its rich expressive red wines and elegant whites.

The vineyard soils vary from sandy, on the rise, to rich dark loam on the flat. Over 60% of the vineyards are planted to premium red wine varieties, including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot ( for Australia's first 100% Petit Verdot wine ), with Chardonnay the largest single white grape planting on the estate.

Winemaking at Pirramimma has been a family affair for well over 100 years. Now in the very capable hands of Alex and Geoff Johnston, grandsons of the winery's founder, Pirramimma has seen many significant changes, including the construction of a 3100 square metre naturally cooled rammed earth barrel storage facility, and the expansion of the land holdings from 97 hectares to 250 hectares, 180 of which are now planted to grapes.

Pirramimma

Geoff Johnston is a winemaker with a world perspective. He is graduate of the Charles Sturt University and studied in France where his strong interest in the classic Bordeaux grape variety, Petit Verdot, first developed. Geoff planted a small trial area of Petit Verdot in 1983 which has since expanded to over 10 hectares of mature vines. His Petit Verdot vintages are award winning, prompting the prestigious European wine magazine WeinWisser to ask.... "is there any better Petit Verdot in the world...?"

Pirramimma's dedication to fine wine making has seen the brand grow consistently over the years and has underpinned a successful expansion into export markets. Pirramimma's comerstone philosophy is to produce wines from grapes grown in its own family estate vineyards, thus ensuring that the highest possible quality standards are met, and that the wines showcase the unique regional characteristics of McLaren Vale.

"A long-established, family-owned company with outstanding vineyard resources. It is using those resources to full effect, with a series of intense old-vine varietals including Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, all fashioned without over-embellishment. There are two quality tiers, both offering excellent value, the packaging significantly upgraded." -James Halliday

All Pirramimma wines are processed and matured on-site under Geoff Johnston's personal supervision. As a result, Pirramimma produces premium quality wines at an affordable price - a philosophy seen as the key to a successful future.

Pirramimma