2010 Langmeil Winery 'Jackaman's' Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley, Australia

2010 Vintage Report The Barossa experienced its best rainfall in five years during the winter and spring of 2009 and provided good soil moisture for the onset of the growing season. Late spring was fairly mild with some moderately warm days, resulting in an early budburst. Warm and mild weather ensued for the remainder of the growing season so canopies remained very healthy and ripening accelerated for an early vintage. The onset of cool nights in mid-March slowed the final harvest for some later varieties and vineyards. In summary, the 2010 wines are proving that this has been an exceptional year for the Barossa.

Colour: Deep crimson with purple hues. Aroma: Lifted blackcurrants and blueberry aroma entwine with biscuity French oak, chocolate and hints of black olive and liquorice.

Palate: Bright, juicy, blue and red fruits flow onto the palate which is medium to full bodied. Briary spice adds to the complexity and the sweet fruit is well balanced with fine, silky tannins which lengthen the fruitful and velvity finish.

Jackaman's vineyard is home to Langmeil Winery's finest and rarest Cabernet Sauvignon, planted in the 1960s during the Cabernet revolution in the Barossa. This vineyard was lovingly tended by the colourful Barossan Arthur Jackaman, a World War II paratrooper, boxer, and butcher who, in retirement, passed his small plot into Langmeil Winery's care.

As impressive as it might read, you can only say so much within the restrictive word count of a label, so I'd like to share an anecdote that captures a little more of Arthur's spirit. Like many good stories, our tale takes place in a pub, specifically the Tibooburra Family Hotel in the corner country of far northwest New South Wales. The words are taken from a police witness statement regarding an incident on voting day, May 29th, 1954, which saw a disgruntled patron leave the bar and return with a 30-calibre automatic American service rifle.

'As he approached the main entrance, he started shooting in a reckless and random manner. Ken Thompson from Mt Stuart station was shot in the back, and a ricochet hit George Begg's daughter in the leg. As he came into the Tap Room, he fired more shots. It was obvious he had little control of the rifle by the pattern of the bullet holes in the wall above the fireplace. On seeing him enter, Arthur Jackaman grabbed a bar stool to use as a weapon; however, hearing the rifle click, he sensed the magazine must be empty, so he wrestled it from him and dragged him into the street, proceeding to the lock-up and having to fend off a good many others who wanted to deal with him along the way.'

This was an act we consider worthy of record. Fittingly, like the man himself, the wine named in Arthur's honour is deep in character, rich in history and full of surprises for those who get to know it over time.