The strapper is a reliable, behind the scenes member of a horseracing team in thoroughbred parlance, a face you're unlikely to see in the limelight of spring carnival. The Strapper GSM is not the showy type either, rather it's a favourite tipple of the winemakers themselves, when they're not imbibing in a chilled riesling or icy ale. Yalumba are very excited about this old world style of Barossa, a third of Shiraz is sandwiched between the understatedly fragrant perfume of Grenache and the earthy, rustic tannins of Mataro, a well bred, strapping and savoury wine.

Few Australian winemakers have had as much experience with the GSM cépage as Yalumba. Originally fashioned into Ports and fortified, the exciting mix of grapes makes a multi dimensional style that's highly cherished by Barossa enthusiasts. Parcels of Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz, are collated from good Barossa vineyards, separately picked and vinified in small batches, some in oak vats and the balance in fermenters. Components are aged in a mixture of large and small vats, puncheons and smaller barrels, French, American and Hungarian oak, allowing parcels to mellow and integrate, while forming texture and increasing complexity, without any overt influence from the barrels.