2023 Jauma Lulu Old Vine Chenin Blanc

WINEMAKER: James Erskine
REGION: McLaren Vale, SA
VARIETY: Chenin Blanc
VITICULTURE: Organic

Jauma’s Lulu is sourced from McLaren Vale’s oldest Chenin Blanc vines. The vineyard is located in Blewitt Springs and is farmed organically by Lulu Linn. The soils are deep white sand on clay and schist, and the wizened old vines date back to 1940. Yields are predictably low―a tonne per acre would be a good crop―and the fruit is always intensely concentrated. The fruit was pressed directly, and only the free run portion went to mature French puncheons for fermentation. The wine then matured for 14 months. “There’s old vine mid-palate intensity, with an extra layer of minerality and extreme purity”, James told us, “It’s sick!”

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.