When a renowned family-owned winery releases only the second vintage of its super premium wine, named after its founder and pitched at a standard a notch above its already consistently good premium wine range – it had better be good!

Pirramimma winery in McLaren Vale, South Australia, has done just that. One of the oldest family-owned wineries in the region, established in 1892, Pirramimma is known around Australia and overseas for its White Label and Stock’s Hill wine ranges, in particular its White Label Petit Verdot and its White Label Shiraz, both winning numerous awards and acclaim.

The 2007 ACJ is only the second release of this winery’s super premium wine, the first being the 2004. ACJ are the initials of the founder Alexander Campbell Johnston, a Scottish immigrant who established Pirramimma – an Aboriginal term for ‘the moon and the stars’. The winery remains in the hands of the Johnston family, with Geoff and Louise now at the helm.

The 2007 ACJ oozes quality just from the presentation. The simple but elegant and sophisticated look is created using dark purple and gold sparingly, with the family shield moulded out of gold metal. This bottle looks exceptional, almost regal – but what is inside is what matters.

Pouring my first glass, the colour is incredible – deep, dense, dark purple/black. On the nose I immediately got briary berries, coffee, licorice, black cherry, mocha and spice. This is a wine that benefits greatly from decanting – I triple decanted to make sure I had totally woken it from its slumber! Thereafter, the berries were jumping out of the glass. The nose was even more generous the next day after opening – bursting with chocolate-covered black cherries with hints of blackberry and violets, licorice and blackcurrant, and a dusting of subtle cedar.

On the palate this blend is simply magnificent, delivering what the nose promises – not only do you get chocolate-covered black cherries, this is much much more. The chocolate is the darkest, most velvety luxurious, delectable hand-made chocolate beyond even Willy Wonka’s wildest imaginings, and the cherries are dark, purple, plump and juicy, bursting with rich, ripe seductive kirsch jus. Close your eyes and savour the perfection. Soft, enveloping, massaging the tongue, the tannins are fine and elegant, and the generous fruit ripeness gives way gently to a long dry finish. The whole package in perfect balance.

This wine will cellar and develop beautifully over many years. To enjoy it now, triple decant and prepare your senses for a treat. But get in quick – only 500 dozen were produced using Pirramimma’s best quality fruit.

Come and taste this amazing wine at cellar door or order online or over the phone.

Grapes: shiraz 61%, petit verdot 24%, cabernet sauvignon 15%

Alcohol 14.5%
Residual sugar 0.5 g/l
Maturation: 24 months in French oak, 25% new

www.pirramimma.com.au

Tel: 08 8323 8205

Pirramimma Winery
Johnston Road
McLaren Vale
SA 5171