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  • Country ranking ?

    234
  • Producer ranking ?

    21
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    2020-2035

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Vintage 2021

2021 Barossa Valley Vintage Report

Following two particularly dry seasons, many were hoping for Mother Nature to be much kinder, and mostly she was. Winter rainfall in 2020 recorded 148mm, the same as winter 2019, (22% below average). The majority of this rainfall was in the latter half of August, with the rain continuing into September and October. This was ideal timing to replenish soil profiles to field capacity moving into budburst in O...

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Written Notes

‘The Money Spider’ Roussanne 2021 – We don’t see a lot of varietal Roussanne, which is a shame because on the evidence of this wine, we have the climate and conditions to do it very well, not just in McLaren Vale, from where this wine hails, but across the country. And it does make for an excellent food wine. 

 

The wine received its name from its first (attempted) vintage in 2000. When it came time for Chester and his team to harvest the crop, it was covered in tiny money spiders. As they are believed to bring good luck, Chester decided not to test the gods and he left the spiders to the grapes. They are also reputed to be able to spin new clothes for those they deem worthy – perhaps Chester had decided to upgrade his wardrobe (there are almost 5,000 different species of money spiders in the world – who knew?). 

 

Anyway, the following year and ever since, the spiders left the grapes to Chester and his team, having moved on without improving Chester’s wardrobe, but the upside is that we have had an excellent Roussanne ever since. 

Again, we have the use of stainless steel basket presses, followed by a long and “moderately cool” fermentation. Only free run juice was used and no malo. Fermentation was in stainless steel, not oak. 

So much to like about this wine. Deep yellow in colour, the aromas weave their way through almonds, florals, a hint of honeycomb and more. A fine minerally backing supports this attractive and understated nose. There is some early complexity evident here and a terrific texture, quite layered. Mid length, with good intensity, ripe stonefruit notes emerge on the palate. Now and any time over the next three to five years. Really good value. 92.

  • 92p
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Information

Origin

McLaren Vale, South Australia

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