Darenberg Stump Jump

Description

THE NAME The name Stump Jump pays homage to a significant South Australian inventionthe Stump Jump plough. As well as clearing the land around McLaren Vale, it was adopted worldwide in the late 19th century because of its ability to ride over stumps and gnarled roots, saving valuable time and energy.THE WINEMAKING This wine is the combination of many individual parcels of wines that flow down from senior wines in the dArenberg stable.Winemaking at dArenberg is very traditional and simplistic. The red wines are fermented in headed-down open fermenters. To get the right amount of colour and tannin extraction wader clad cellar hands foot tread the ferments. The skins are then separated via the traditional method of basket pressing then matured in barriques and large casks.All dArenberg wine is bottled onsite.THE LABEL This optometrist eye chart inspired design doubles as a make shift sobriety test. If you hold the bottle at arms length and you can still read the bottom line you can have another glass. This statement is of humorous nature and not to be considered a test of blood alcohol for the purpose of driving a car, scooter or operating roller blades, skateboards or other dangerous things with wheels.THE VINTAGE 2009 rhymes with vine. It was also one of the best vintages for Grenache in the last decade.Sufficient winter rains set up the vines well with good canopies.December and most of January were very cool with only three days above 30C until late in the month.There was a string of days above 40C in late January which had little effect as most vines were going through veraison.The mild weather that followed ensured that ripening was stress free and grapes showed good levels of natural acidity and balanced tannins.THE WINE The nose features plum and bright red fruits with a hint of roasted meats, earth, pepper and exotic spices.The palate has some wonderful delicate fruit with blackberry joining the party. A touch of dried herbs adds a savoury edge with fine, lifted tannins providing a long finish.Its cracking wine with sophistication but dont worry its still a lot of fun.” – d’Arenberg