The Wine Advocate | RP 86
Published: May 14, 2020

The latest vintage to hit American shores, d'Arenberg's 2017 The Stump Jump Shiraz is a solid effort, marrying tart berry flavors, a medium-bodied palate and fine-grained tannins. Dependable year after year, it's a food-friendly Shiraz at a realistic price, quite different in style from the softer, jammier offerings common at this place in the market. It should drink well for at least 3-4 years. 
Drink Date 2020 - 2024

Winemaker

TASTING NOTE
The value this wine delivers for the money is incredible. The wine starts out with a deep ruby colour. On the nose, the wine is full of cherry and blackberry fruits, which continue on the palate. What sets this Shiraz apart is the intensity of this ripe fruit, which is just as intense on the finish as when the wine first hits your tongue. The finish has a mineral-graphite edge that balances the fruit nicely. In all, it drinks far, far, above its price point.

WINEMAKING
The grapes used in this wine are mostly from very old bush vines, and underwent gentle crushing, traditional open tank fermentation, basket pressing and oak maturation prior to bottling.

BEHIND THE NAME
It is rumoured that the inventor of the Stump Jump plough, which enabled a ploughshare to jump over tree roots, had poor eyesight and required regular tests to ensure he could still operate machinery. The design of this label is inspired by an optometrist's eyechart and serves as a makeshift sobriety test. If you can hold the bottle at arm's length and still read the front label, you can enjoy another glass.