About
Tasting Notes
The Grower Range
Dedicated to all the Growers we work with, whose hard work and dedication to their craft enable us to purchase luscious fruit year after year. The Grower range is a testament to the amazing growers Jason has forged long-term relationships with since 2001.
2021 The Grower Shiraz
Vintage: 2021
Alcohol: 14.3%
Production: Bottled June 9th, 2022
Region: Barossa Valley
Growers: Mark Schwarz, Sam Dahlitz, Karl Schiller and Darren Westlake
Winemaking
The 2021 Grower Shiraz consists of fifteen different parcels of fruit from twelve different growers ranging from sub regions of Stone Well in the West, Moppa in the North, Eden Valley in the East and Bethany in the South. The first fruit picked was from McDonald (Stone Well) on 19th February and the last fruit picked was Karl Schiller (Eden Valley) on the 13th April 2021. The fruit was picked according to flavours in the vineyard and a small amount (5%) of whole bunch fruit was used in ferments. All fruit was fermented separately in open top fermenters using wild/indigenous yeast. Pump overs and hand plunging were used sparingly as to not extract big tannins and dark flavours from the fruit. Once the fermented wine had reached optimal flavours it was pressed and racked to French oak Vats, Puncheons, Hogs Heads and small tanks with 14% of the final blend being matured in tank. I use tank storage to maintain vibrancy, freshness and crisp tannic structure in some wines. The selected parcels of Shiraz were blended to tank in February 2022, settled and bottled in June.
Vegan friendly
Tasting note
Young, bright and youthful in the glass. Dark fruit aromas: satsuma plums, Blackcurrant and Cocoa. Rich, deep and dark on the palate, lush fruit, firm tannins and lively acidity. All dark plums, mulberry, graphite and mint chocolate. Bold, balanced, structured, textured and long.
94 Points - Winestate - New Release Wine Show
2021 The Grower GSM
Vintage: 2021
Alcohol: 14.2%
Production: Bottled June 9th, 2022
Varietals: Grenache 56% / Shiraz 42% / Mataro 2%
Region: Barossa Valley
Growers: Mark Schwarz, Nev Pfeiffer, Peter Neldner & John Leinert
Winemaking
Seventeen different parcels of fruit were used from nine different growers coming from the sub regions of Marananga in the West, Stockwell in the North, Eden Valley in the East and Bethany in the South. The first fruit picked was Grenache from Bethany on the 19th February and the last fruit picked was Shiraz from Eden Valley on 13th April 2021. The fruit was picked according to flavours in the vineyard and 13% of whole bunch fruit was used in ferments. All fruit was fermented separately in open top fermenters using wild/indigenous yeast. Pump overs, hand plunging and foot stomping were used according to desired outcomes and whole bunch portions in each fermenter. Once the individual fermenters had reached optimal flavours they were pressed and racked to French oak Puncheons and Hogs Heads with 50% of the wine staying in small tanks to maintain crispness and freshness in the finished wine.
The selected parcels of wine were blended to tank in December 2021 settled and bottled in June 2022.
Vegan friendly
Tasting note
The 2021 vintage of The Grower GSM is a blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro that perfectly showcases the Barossa’s most popular red varieties.
96 Points – Winestate Magazine 2021 New Release Wine Show
2021 The Grower Grenache
Vintage: 2021
Alcohol: 14.0%
Production: Bottled June 6th, 2022
Region: Barossa Valley
Growers: Mark Schwarz & Nev Pfeiffer
Winemaking
The first release of The Grower Grenache is a blend of five vineyards predominately from the Bethany sub region 55%, Vine Vale 30% and Stockwell 15% with 18% whole bunch fruit used in ferments. All the fruit was handpicked and fermented separately in open top fermenters using wild yeast. The first pick of fruit was the Stockwell vineyard on March 4th with the last parcel the Vine Vale vineyard on March 28th. The fruit was picked according to flavours in the vineyard and whole bunch portions used according to desired styles. The fruit not used as whole bunch was destemmed only with no crushing. Once fermented the fruit was pressed and matured in equal portions of tank and seasoned French oak Puncheons and Hogs Heads.
The wine was blended in February 2022, settled in tank and bottled with minimal filtration early June 2022.
Vegan Friendly
Tasting note
A bright and playful nose, opening with spiced red cherry, red licorice, briar berries and cola. The palate is all supple tannins with perky fruit flavour. Soft, juicy and delicious!
94 Points - Winestate - New Release Wine Show
2020 Nitschke Block Shiraz
Vintage: 2020
Varieties: Shiraz 100%
Region: Barossa Valley
The Nitschke Block vineyard in Bethany was planted by Jason’s parents in 1968. A single vineyard wine, the fruit was picked over 3 different dates according to ripeness and required flavours.
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 600 dozen bottled June 22, 2021
Oak: 35% new French
Winemaking
All fruit was handpicked with the first parcel picked on 27th February 2020 with 20% whole bunch clusters utilised in the first ferment. Pump overs began after four days of cold soak with a lid on. The pump overs continued until 6 March when foot stomping was carried out to break down any remaining whole berries.
Once fermentation was complete, the lid was once again put on the fermenter and soft plunges were carried out every couple of days until pressing occurred
on 3 April.
The second parcel was picked on the 3rd March. This pick was split into two Fermenters – one with 25% whole bunch clusters which was on skins for eleven days before pressing, and the second with 15% whole bunch clusters which stayed on skins for twenty-one days before pressing.
All wines were pressed into VC (variable capacity) tanks where they were allowed to complete malolactic fermentation before being transferred to a mixture on new and seasoned French oak puncheons and hogsheads.
Blending commenced on 18 May 2021 and the finished wine was bottled on 22 June 2021.
A vegan friendly wine bottled with no fining or filtration.
Tasting note
Absolute presence in the glass. This is a commanding wine, glistening with blackberry, cherry and plum fruits, lashings of fine-grained oak and the full spice box open and on show. All the hallmarks of dry grown shiraz from a hot vintage, but packaged in such an elegant wine. Dig through the layers and uncover coffee and cocoa, and a palate dripping in the full flavours of the Barossa Valley.
*Tasting notes written by Christian Canala at Vinify Wine Co*
Reviews & awards
91 Points – Winestate Magazine 2021 New Release Tasting
95 Points – Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
Review by Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion
21 February 2022
"Single-vineyard shiraz from the Nitschke Block in Bethany, planted by Jason Schwarz's parents in 1968; 20% whole bunches, 25% new French oak. Deep, slightly broody satsuma plum notes are edged with amaro herbs and plentiful exotic spice, jasmine and macerated cherries. Lovely fruit weight, chalky tannins and vivid acidity add to its appeal."
93 Points
2019 Schiller Shiraz
The Schiller Shiraz is a wine rich in both flavour and history. The 400 Shiraz vines planted by Carl August Otto Schiller in 1881 are something to be treasured. Earmarked for bulldozers in 2006, a last-minute reprieve would see these Ancestor vines remain in the ground.
The grapes are hand-picked from the sixth generation Schiller Family vineyard at Hallett Valley in the Barossa.
Jason first made this wine in 2008, and since then it has been his flagship wine.
As you cradle a glass of this Shiraz, cast a thought to the generations of pruners and grape pickers that have trodden these rows over the last 141 years and raise a toast in their honour.
Vintage: 2019
Varieties: Shiraz 100%
Region: Barossa Valley
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 87 dozen bottled 19 February 2021 (1046 individually numbered bottles)
Winemaking
A single vineyard wine, the 400 Schiller vines were handpicked on 5 March
2019 and only produced 1015kg of fruit after severe drought.
The fruit went into the cool room overnight and was fully destemmed and rotated into a fermenter, lid on and cold macerated until fermentation naturally started six days later. Soft pump overs occurred for the next ten days until they were at their peak for pressing 30 days after the fruit was picked. The wine went through malolactic fermentation in a VC tank before being transferred to a new French oak hogshead and a seasoned French oak puncheon. The wine stayed in wood with no racking before being blended on 28 December 2020 and bottled 19 February 2021
No fining or filtration, Vegan friendly. 1046 bottles were produced.
Tasting note
The 2019 Schiller Shiraz is a delicious wine, albeit one that should be destined for the cellar. Salted licorice, kirsch, blood plum and vanilla are present now, but the nose is withholding its true aromatic potential for the moment. There is a wonderful feeling of pent-up energy, the palate is firm, layered, textured and extremely long. I can’t wait to taste this in 5+ years
*Tasting notes written by Christian Canala at Vinify Wine Co*
Review by Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion
21 February 2022
"Sourced from a patch of 400 vines, planted in 1881 in Hallett Valley, wild-yeast fermented, matured in French oak (50% new). Aromas of deep spice notes sheathing super-ripe blackberry, black cherry and plum fruits along with hints of licorice, dark chocolate, espresso and vanillin oak. Rich and mouth filling, with impressive fruit weight and purity. Gorgeous tannins fade back into the fruit, providing ample support and a finish that lingers admirably. A very impressive, textural wine that shows grace and power in equal measure."
95 Points
2020 META Shiraz
Vintage: 2020
Alcohol: 14.2%
Oak: 15% New French, 85% Seasoned French
Production: 538 dozen bottled June 8, 2021
Variety: Shiraz 100%
Region: Barossa Valley
The Meta Shiraz is a selection of vineyards that typically come from rocky
or hard growing soils. This gives the fruit (and therefore the wine) a brighter, blue fruited and more tightly tannic style.
Winemaking
The first pick for this vintage was from the Stonewell vineyard on 27th February 2019 with the final pick from Eden Valley on 23rd March 2020.
The fruit for this wine was grown over four sub regions in the Barossa & Eden Valley with Stonewell as the most prominent sub region.
The fruit was sourced from six growers from vineyards in Stonewell, Light Pass, Eden Valley & Vine Vale. The oldest vineyard used in the Meta Shiraz is from the Light Pass vineyard at 90 years of age.
Individual parcels are predominantly handpicked with whole bunch portions
used according to the desired outcome. In total, 18% of the wine was whole bunch. (Bunches of grapes added to the fermentation tank without the berries removed from the stalk. This process assists with tannin structure as the stalks break down in the fermentation process).
All parcels were fermented in small open fermenters, with wild yeast (naturally occurring yeast) carrying out the duties. Soft pump overs, hand plunges and foot stomping was carried out as required. Parcels were pressed and then transferred to French oak puncheons and hogsheads for maturation. (15% of the blend was matured in new French oak) Final blending occurred in June 2020.
A vegan friendly wine with no fining or filtration.
Tasting note
Serious Shiraz here, but with lift and life. Red and black cherry fruits interplay here with spices, tea, and wild herbal notes. A little veil of oak too, but all very well in check.
Nice richness without being overly so, there’s a great presence of tannin on the palate Indicating that for all its drinkability now it has a long life ahead of it.
*Tasting notes written by Christian Canala at Vinify Wine Co*
Reviews & awards
95 Points - Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
94 Points, 4 stars – Winestate Magazine Best of New Releases
Review by Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion
21 February 2022
"Shiraz sourced across the region's parishes – Stone Well, Light Pass, Eden Valley and Vine Vale; 18% whole bunches, matured in French oak (15% new). Fragrant, floral-flecked plummy fruits abound, along with hints of exotic spice, pressed flowers, roasting meats and light amaro herbs. Pure of fruit with a sinewy tannin profile and meaty, spice-laden finish."
89 Points
2021 META Mataro
Vintage: 2021
Alcohol: 13.8%
Oak: None – 100% tank matured
Production: 255 dozen bottled August 3, 2021
Varieties: Mataro 100%
Region: Barossa Valley
Vineyards: Moppa, Vine Vale and Bethany (all 10-25 years old)
Winemaking
All blocks picked separately according to fruit maturity and fermented with wild yeast in open fermenters.
Bethany picked 26/3/21, machine picked, 6 days on skins
Vine Vale picked 3/4/21, 18% whole bunch, 24 days on skins
Moppa picked 9/4/21, 35% whole bunch, 17 days on skins. Ferments were all foot stomped and pumped over regularly.
All wines were pressed into tank and remained there until blending. Blended July 2021. No fining or filtration occurred. Vegan friendly.
Tasting note
Dark, spicy and built for max expression. Built over a foundation of blackberry and red plums this is punchy, expressive Mataro of spice rubbed meat, tea smoke and beef jerky. It’s fresh and complex, moreish and highly engaging.
Reviews & awards
95 Points (4.5 stars) – Winestate Best of New Releases Wine Show
Review by Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion
21 February 2022
"Mataro sourced from the parishes of Moppa, Vine Vale and Bethany, 17% whole bunches, pressed to tank until blending and bottling, unfined and unfiltered. Vibrant purple-red hue in the glass with characters of ripe plums and macerated berry fruits, deep spice, pressed flowers and a distinct meaty, earthen edge. Glossy and pure, with just a dusting of amaro herbs, fine billowy tannins, an airy demeanour and a whole lot of inherent drinkability."
93 Points
The Real Review – Gabrielle Poy
22 October 2021
"Opaque purple colour, this wine is alive with blue and black spiced fruits, like wafts of blueberry jam from a boiling pot on the stove. The palate echoes the pure expression of blueberries from the nose—this is beautifully fruited and utterly delicious. Nothing detracts from the core of fruit. It's delightful."
92 Points
2021 META Grenache
Vintage: 2021
Alcohol: 13.5%
Production: 327 dozen bottled August 3, 2021
Region: Barossa Valley
The fruit for this wine comes predominantly from my family’s Thiele Road Grenache vineyard in Bethany, planted in 1941.
The remaining fruit was sourced from a 90-year old bush vine Grenache vineyard in the sub region of Marananga.
Winemaking
The fruit from my family’s Thiele Road vineyard was hand-picked on
March 14th, 2021 and 100% whole bunch fermented. The fruit was rotated into open
fermenters with dry ice and a floating lid put on and sealed.
Wild yeast (naturally occurring yeast) started the fermentation process (carbonic maceration) for 7 days. Gentle foot-stomping and pump-overs continued for the next 9-14 days until the fruit was pressed. Once pressed 50% of the wine
went into old French oak to soften tannins while 50% remained in tank until blending.
This portion is the backbone of the wine, providing the structure and earthy, smoky characters.
The second portion of fruit from the Marananga vineyards was picked on the
26th March 2021 with 20% whole bunch fermented. Wild yeast started fermentation, with soft pump-overs and hand plunges used to extract colours and flavours from the berries. Towards the end of the ferment the fruit was foot stomped to break any unfermented berries to release sugars.
Pressed after 14 days, it then remained in tank until blending. This portion gives floral characters and minerality to the final blend.
A vegan-friendly wine bottled with no fining or filtration.
Tasting note
Grenache taking plenty of cues from Pinot here. Pours a medium ruby shade, aromatically expressive with sarsaparilla, woody characters from the significant whole bunch portion, and smoky prosciutto and bacon. Palate-wise, it’s fine and generous at the same time, Turkish delight, beetroot, rhubarb, cola and more smoky meats, well-articulated through succulent tannins giving pleasing length and fruit persistence through a long finish.
*Tasting notes written by Felix Reilly at Felixir Wine *
Reviews & Awards
96 Points (4.5 Stars) Winestate Magazine 2021 New Release Wine Show – Top In Class
Winefront review by Gary Walsh
Posted on 21 December 2021
“Plenty of spice and energy, raspberry and dried herb, slight rosy perfume. Medium-bodied, firm in the mouth, orange peel and graphite tannin, wheatgerm bunchy things, good length. Distinctive.”
92 Points
Review by Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion
21 February 2022
"Sourced from the Thiele Road Grenache block in Bethany (planted 1941) and a 90yo block in Marananga, 82% whole bunches and carbonic maceration. Aged 50/50% in old French oak and tank. A wonderfully light and playful take on the variety, glossy purple in the glass and pure and plummy in the mouth; perfumed, spicy, herb flecked and swift of foot, it cuts a great palate line, can take a brief chill and provides great enjoyment."
93 Points
The Real Review – Gabrielle Poy
16 October 2021
"Alluring notes of spice, dark raspberries and red licorice give way to a sinewy and savoury palate. There's a nice interplay between sweet and savoury with some inky tannins sweeping through. This offers great complexity and enjoyment."
91 Points
(Image: Schwarz Wine Co Website)