In 1838 two ships are sailing bound for Australia, aboard the Zebra is Samuel Johann Nietschke and on the Prince George is Johann Georg Kalleske. They are both pioneering grapegrowing families who make the Barossa their new home. Now step forward 130 years in time to 1968 and these two families join when John Kalleske marries Lorraine Nietschke. Their sons Tony, Kym and Troy run the vineyard and the more recently established winery. However it was Lorraine’s forbears who originally made wine well before the current Kalleske boys decided to try their hand.

The Nietschke family established a winery on the banks of the Jacob’s Creek soon after they planted vines in the 1840’s. To honour Lorraine’s lineage and theinspiration they have bestowed this wine proudly bears the Nietschke name. Great Uncle Jack would be proud, as this is a modern Shiraz with a twist. There’s a little something extra with a dash of Petite Sirah added for complexity. A full-bodied Barossa Shiraz with rich dark fruit flavours and classy oak characteristics that will cellar gracefully in the medium term.

Growing season:Vintage 2017 was stunning. The vines got off to a fantastic start with a wetter than average Winter and mild Spring. Summer brought typically average warm conditions with some excellent rainfall, twice the average. This kept the vines in superb condition for steady ripening into Autumn which remained dry with warm sunny days and cool nights. Yields from 2017 are good and quality is exceptional.

Vineyard:Nietschke is a modern Shiraz with a twist. There’s a little something extra with a dash of Petite Sirah (5%) blended in for added complexity. All grapes are from the Barossa Valley including the renowned Greenock sub-region where vines are lowyielding and are grown in shallow, sandy loam soil over deep red clay, providingideal conditions for these varieties.

Winemaking:The grapes were harvested in numerous batches from mid March to late April. Following fermentation for 7 to 12 days on skins in open top fermenters with hand pump-overs twice daily, the grapes were pressed and the wine was aged in hogshead barrels for a year. Both seasoned and new American and French oak was used. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Appearance:Nietschke Jack 2017 Shiraz is dark red-purple in colour.

Nose:It is immediately attractive with aromas of cherry, roses, spice, blueberry, cinnamon and subtle toasty oak.

On the palate: The full-bodied palate is bursting with juicy red fruits, a touch of licorice and balanced with inviting background barrel oak complexity. The natural tannins are extremely fine adding stylish structure. Rich fruit is the hallmark of this wine that is extremely well balanced and long to finish. Nietschke is a fine Barossa Shiraz that will cellar gracefully in the medium term.

Alcohol: 14.5%

Bottle Size: 750ml

Closure: Screw Cap