Here in Australia’s Limestone Coast wine region, 300km south of Adelaide, the
Bryson Family has a 5 generation-long farming tradition that for the past 50 yrs.
or so has been focused on producing premium-grade red and white wine grapes
cultivated on their own rootstock – that’s an impressive, additional challenge to
take on as a grower. More often than not, vintners will purchase rootstock from
nurseries that specialize in the complex grafting and nurturing of young vines. To
undertake this knowledgeable labour is an indication that every detail matters in
the production of wines for the signature line aptly known as Jip Jip Rocks!

The estates’s 190 hectares of vineyard are located in the beautiful and historic
Padthaway Valley, home to the unusual, bulbous-like rock formations that litter
the landscape. Among many desirable attributes at work in this terroir, including
sun-drenched exposures in daytime offset by the cool maritime breezes at night,
are the prized Terra Rosa soils. Often associated with the Mediterranean basin
and Italy in particular, this composition of ancient, weathered limestone results
from the residual clay and non-soluble rock becoming oxidized (rusting), yielding
up the characteristic reddish colour – imparting a bountiful supply of essential
minerals, as well as, providing excellent drainage to the vine’s roots.

This week’s DéClassé-recommended bottling of 100% Shiraz has spent a year
in a deftly rotated combination of new and older American and French oak barrels
then another 15 months in bottle to get to its current level of maturity. Though
ready to go now, with youthful fruitiness still at the forefront, this could continue
to develop on your rack for several more years. If you like your red wines on the somewhat voluptuous side – then don’t hesitate to buy a bunch!

JIP JIP ROCKS SHIRAZ 2011
VINTAGES – LCBO Product #673897 | 750 mL bottle
Price $ 16.95
14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content Descriptor: XD

Made in: South Australia, Australia
By: Bryson Family
Release Date: Feb 1, 2014

Tasting Note
Apart from classic notes of cherry, this also incorporates chocolate and mocha
coffee. Though spicy on the nose, the oak is nonetheless very well-incorporated.
Try serving this with your Sunday night roast pork or beef, with hearty stews,
casseroles or mature cheeses.