Description
“The Kalleske family has been farming this remarkable Greenock vineyard since 1855 and Laughing Jack was formed in 1999. These wines come mostly from this site blessed with old vine, dry grown Shiraz planted in a contoured pattern. Low yields and careful fruit selection in the winery results in some of the purest Barossa Shiraz we have encountered. Winemaker Shawn Kalleske’s understanding of his vineyards is superb, as is his winemaking. In appropriate vintages, Laughing Jack also releases a range of prestige cuvees in tiny quantities.” Bibendum.
5 Star Winery, James Halliday …“The Kalleske family has many branches in the Barossa Valley. Laughing Jack is owned by Shawn, Nathan, Ian and Carol Kalleske, and Linda Schroeter. The lion’s share of the vineyard is planted to shiraz, with lesser amounts of semillon and grenache. Vine age varies considerably, with old dry-grown shiraz the jewel in the crown. A small part of the grape production is taken for the Laughing Jack Shiraz. As any Australian knows, the kookaburra is also called the laughing jackass, and there is a resident flock of kookaburras in the stands of blue and red gums surrounding the vineyards.”
This perennial overachiever is sourced mainly from the Kalleske family’s Greenock, Moppa Hill and Marananga vineyards. This 2021 comprises 67% Greenock fruit, with 17% from Marananga and 16% Moppa. The combination of soils―red-brown earth over deep red clay in Greenock, clay and shale in Marananga and sand over clay and quartz with ironstone in Moppa―brings balance and a unique Laughing Jack expression. The fruit was 100% destemmed and transferred to various open-top fermenters (three, five and eight tonne). The wine was plunged by hand twice a day. The wine matured in oak barrels for 20 months―5% new French and 3% new American, with the balance seasoned French (55%) and American (37%).
Shawn and his team have once again delivered an outstanding release. Their handling of South Australian Shiraz is nothing short of exceptional. The wine showcases dark fruit and spice, with a rich, smooth, and generous palate that leads into a long, flavorful finish. It exceeds expectations for both its style and price, making it an easy choice for anyone seeking a high-quality regional classic at great value.
Tasting notes from the winemaker about this vintage: “2022 Jack’s Shiraz was sourced from the family’s Greenock, Moppa Hill & Marananga vineyards. 64% Greenock fruit, which is planted on red-brown earth over deep red clay. 28% Moppa vineyards with a combination of sandy soil over orange clay with thick gravely quartz stone and ironstone scattered throughout the soil profile. 8% from the calcareous soils with fragmented blue shale at Marananga.
“The grapes were de-stemmed and whole berries transferred into open top fermenters. 60% was made in small 3 tonne open tops with hand plunging twice per day. 40% made in larger fermenters 5 & 8 tonne, with 2 x pump overs per day. Both receiving regular rack and returns. After fermentation the wine was then drained to oak barrels and skins were hand dug out of the fermenters into the basket press. Average of 14 days on skins. The wine is matured with minimal racking until being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
“Dark core, crimson/ red rim in colour. An expressive bouquet of dark fruits — blackberry and blueberry — layered with mulberry, plum and black cherry. The Greenock component shows its distinctive perfumed blackberry and cherry lift, while Marananga contributes ripe plum richness and Moppa adds characteristic mulberry depth. A hallmark of the vintage is the pronounced dark chocolate note, adding further intensity and allure. An array of subtle spices unfolds, including cracked pepper, clove, nutmeg and a hint of star anise. Delicate floral nuances of violet sit gently above underlying earthy tones, completing a complex and inviting aromatic profile.
“Medium- to full-bodied, rich and generous, with a round, velvety texture. Fruit-driven in style, layers of predominantly black fruits flow seamlessly across the palate. Beautifully balanced, offering a delicious, moreish mouthfeel supported by vibrant, well-judged acidity. The tannins are ripe and confidently present, yet plush and fine-grained in structure. There is still plenty of the rich, generous flavour Jack’s is known for, carrying through to a long, lingering finish.”
It’s another excellent release from this perennial over achiever! South Australian Shiraz in their hands is a thing of beauty. Dark-fruited and spicy with a full, smooth, generous palate and a long, flavoursome close. It offers far more than one should expect from this style and price—an easy decision if you’re looking for a good-value regional classic.
Review for 2021 – 91 points, Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion “Rock-solid value here in this shiraz sourced from across Greenock, Marananga and Moppa Hill. It’s packed with deep blackberry and macerated plum fruit with underlying hints of licorice, earth, violets, fruit, vanillin oak and nut chocolate, fruitcake and earth. All that dark fruit is framed in toothsome, chocolatey tannins, and it’s a wine that sings clearly of its western roots.”
RRP $32 *Our Special Price Only $24.99 when you buy 6 or more of this of this wine*
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