The Optimist

2002 "A" Reserve Shiraz Cabernet Merlot $49.95


Awards: Trophy Best Dry Red Table Wine 2004 NSW Small Winemakers Show Gold Medal, Class 10 2004 NSW Small Winemakers Show Gold Medal Equivalent, 2002 Mudgee Wine Show, Class 3 Gold Medal, Class 12, 2003 Mudgee Wine Show Gold Medal, Class 10, 2003 NSW Small Winemakers Show 93/100, James Halliday 2005 Wine Companion…’A powerful elegant wine’ and Trophy NSW Small Winemakers Show, 2004... Best Dry Table Wine

The wine is nicknamed ‘Vignerons Cuvee’ because it is a blend of the fruit of several local growers who supply fruit to large wine companies. Vineyards who supply fruit to this blend are Abercorn (Shiraz), Wells Parish (Cabernet), Lynwood Vineyard (Merlot), and Njilla Vineyard (Shiraz) and Rosby Vineyard (Shiraz and Cabernet).

The fruit for the blend was identified in the vineyard and further selections take place in the winery to ensure the particular style of the wine. Fruit ripeness for the blend varied between 13.0 beaume and 14.0 beaume. Parcels are kept separate throughout the winemaking process until final blending just prior to bottling. The Shiraz and Merlot were pre-soaked prior to fermentation and pressed early with some completing ferment in new barrels, while the Cabernet components had some time on skins after ferment. Malolactic fermentation was completed in barrels. Less than one half the barrels were new and half of these were French and Eastern European sourced. Final blending of wine was an intricate process as the desired wine style is one of being fruit-driven with richness and length, while showcasing the firm Mudgee tannins.

The Shiraz (40%) provided richness and fruit, while Cabernet (40%) underscored the wine’s firm structure. The Merlot was used to soften the wine and add to its richness. It was fined and bottled in July 2003 without filtering. The wine is very similar in style to the 2001 predecessor, having similar tannin structure, albeit slightly firmer and with slightly more obvious oak. The same fruit-driven style is apparent. The ‘Vignerons Cuvee’ is unique to Abercorn, being a specially selected blend of small parcels of growers grapes that are mostly sold to large companies. The wine is complex with intense raspberry, clovey and dusty characters on the nose. The palate has an oversupply of firm but fine tannins typical of Mudgee, with fruit lingering a long time. It is ideal with traditional foods like rabbit stew and roast meat. Just 300 cases were produced.

Abercorn Wine
Cassilis Road,
Mudgee NSW 2850

Ph: 02 6373 3106
Fax: 02 6373 3108
Freecall: 1800 000 959

Email: sales@abercornwine.com.au

Abercorn Wine