2008 The Stump Jump Red

© Neil Matterson

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Alcohol: 14%

pH: 3.36

Oak: Old French, American and large casks 

Chief Winameker: Chester Osborn 

Senior Winemaker: Jack Walton

Other Vintages

"Could this be the perfect wine for everyday consumption? It goes very close. Berry fruits from plums to red currant, with some savoury body and texture from the mourvèdre the Stump Jump would be superb at double the price!"

The name ‘Stump Jump’ pays homage to a significant South Australian invention – the 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 nose is full of ripe and juicy red fruits and fresh plums mixed with dark cherry, rhubarb and cardamon.

The palate is approachable with juicy fresh red berries, mulberry and a hint of pomegranate. Underlying the generous fruit is a more subtle layer of plum stone, star anise and cinnamon which adds complexity and interest.

The soft powdery tannins provide a gentle finish.

In 2008 d’Arenberg was awarded Winestate Magazine’s Wine Company of the Year. It was also a tale of two vintages with a mixture of cool conditions and an extended period of heat.

Good winter rains set the vines up well with healthy canopies. A normal spring and a very cool January and February meant the vines were able to ripen without stress. 

A sustained heat wave in early March caused the grapes to finish ripening quickly and resulted in some frantic picking. 

The resulting wines are a tasty blend of elegance and generosity.

This wine is the combination of many individual parcels of wines that flowed down from senior wines in the d’Arenberg stable. It also includes parcels from a range of new growers.

Red winemaking at d’Arenberg is very traditional and simplistic. All of the reds wines are fermented in headed-down open fermenters prior to being pressed in our traditional basket-presses, then matured in large casks prior to estate bottling.

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