Jauma Disco Special 2022
- Region
- Australia » McLaren Vale
- Type
- red still, dry
- Producer
- Vintage
- 2022
- Grapes
- Grenache, Shiraz
- Alcohol
- 13
- Sugar
- 0.7
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Cellar
- not available
Ratings
This wine exudes a nostalgic charm reminiscent of vintage Coca-Cola days. The profile is rich with ripe fruits, subtle licorice, sweet medicinal herbs, and bubble gum notes - hence the retro soda associations. Hidden around the corners are hints of VA and Nordic berries, adding complexity to the mix.
Structurally, it's sound though somewhat lacking in mid-palate depth. The wine offers good juiciness and an appealing dryness, with delicate tannins overshadowed by a subtle fizzy character. The finish, while pleasant, leaves something to be desired. Medium acidity keeps things moving along.
It sits comfortably in the moderately funky category, remaining easily drinkable throughout. The overall experience is like winter memories of a distant summer - pleasant but slightly wistful. An interesting wine that perhaps promises more than it delivers, yet remains enjoyably distinctive.
This wine certainly leaves a positive impression, meriting another tasting. It offers good fruit, though slightly marred by a hint of spoilage. Accompanying the fruit are notes of flowers, earth, and dark chocolate.
While it's not exceedingly complex, its good structure, acidity, and tannin stand out. The long and flavourful aftertaste is enhanced by a certain strain, which adds an interesting dimension to the overall experience.
Based on its current profile, I believe this wine has the potential to improve over the next year or two.
About Producer
Adelaide Hills is home to many incredible wineries that turn the perception of Australian wines upside down. They can be light, fun and still be fine and complex. Jauma is a small farm and winery from Lenswood, Peramangk Country. The name comes after the Catalan variant of its owner's first name - James Erskine, award-winning ex-sommelier and now a prominent winemaker.
Akin to Anton van Klopper from Lucy Margaux, James worked in the hospitality business before jumping the fence to the world of wines. Over the years, James earnt an Honours Degree in Agricultural Science (Oenology), a sommelier of the year gong, and topped the class at the Court of Master Sommeliers exams in Melbourne in 2008.
Yet winemaking attracted James. Even at the peak of his sommelier career, James spent plenty of hours among the vines. As a member of The Natural Selection Theory, he worked on experimental wines with Sam Hughes, Anton van Klopper, and Tom Shobbrook.
From this experience, Jauma was born in 2010. Their first harvest happened in the same year. James sourced grapes from McLaren Vale instead of Adelaide Hills. In 2011 he met a like-minded grower in Fiona Wood. Since then, she has helped James with leased vineyards.
Jauma Farm in Lenswood, Peramangk Country, was purchased by James in 2018. He planted it with Chenin Blanc, Savagnin, Cabernet Franc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. And in the years to come, we shall see wines produced from James' own grapes.