2023 Jauma Origins Arneis
WINEMAKER: James Erskine
REGION: McLaren Vale, SA
VARIETY: Arneis
VITICULTURE: Organic
The 2023 is the fourth release of the Origin Arneis, but only the second instance of carbonic maceration. Describing it as a relatively inert variety in its simplest form, James pushes the limits of picking dates and fermentation techniques to fully exploit the “wackiness and magic juju” that Arneis can express. The fruit is from a secret site in McLaren Vale, sitting at 380 metres and facing north. The 21-year-old vines are rooted in soils of clay, quartz and ironstone. The fruit ferments carbonically for two weeks (expect an orange hue to the colour) before being racked to steel to rest on full lees for 11 months.
James Erskine is an honours graduate in soil chemistry and celebrated sommelier. A leading light in organic farming and zero-adds wine. He also owns a certified organic cherry farm. How good.