By John Rozentals.
Jorg and Jan Gartelmann: have built solid relationships with a number of grape growers.
Gartelmann Wines has ushered in their new vintage shiraz to coincide with the reopening of their Hunter Valley Cellar door as covid restrictions ease for winemakers in NSW.
The new wines comprise their recently repackaged red wine flagship, the 2016 Gartelmann ‘Diedrich’ Shiraz ($50), which partners the 2017 Gartelmann ‘Wilhelm’ Shiraz ($28).
For many years Jorg and Jan Gartelmann have built solid relationships with a number of grape growers across the Hunter Valley, Orange, Rylstone and Mudgee.
The best shiraz from each vintage is earmarked for their icon wine, the Gartelmann Diedrich which is named in honour of Jorg’s much loved grandfather.
In 2016 the vintage in the Orange region proved ideal. Rain in January ensured good soil moisture leading into vintage, with the dry February and March allowing the fruit to ripen fully in the cool climate. The grapes were picked on the March 10.
This single vineyard wine was matured for 16 months in a combination of new and one-to-three-year-old puncheons and hogsheads (both American and French) in order to build complexity and balance with the aromatic and elegant fruit.
The wine further matured in the bottle for three years prior to release.
“The Diedrich release exemplifies the best that we can make each vintage,” said owner and vigneron Jorg Gartelmann.
“My grandfather was a kind man, and a true patriarch and so I want each wine to live up to his character. We have recently updated the label on our reserve wines and the 2016 Gartelmann Diedrich is the first red wine to see this new label.”
WINE REVIEWS
Gartelmann 2017 Wilhelm Shiraz ($28): After Jorg’s father passed away, his uncle Wilhelm was very supportive of the young family. With this in mind, Jorg wanted the wine to be a classical Hunter shiraz, with refinement and longevity. The wine is made from grapes grown in the Broke Fordwich sub-region of the Hunter Valley and is a medium-bodied dry red of real quality.
WINE OF THE WEEK
Gartelmann 2016 Diedrich Shiraz ($50): Wow! This fine full-flavoured dry red shows its quality through both its classy new packaging (I know what the wine comes in shouldn’t matter, but it does) and in the glass. It is top notch and worth every cent of its top-notch price. Look for a tight red with great dark berry flavours typical of the district.
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