The Optimist

2002 Abercorn Shiraz $19.95


The 30 year old Shiraz vines excelled in 2002, producing fruit of exceptional austerity and flavour.

The season began with a good spring.

Low yields were evident early - the final crop produced just 5 tonnes/hectare. However by summer the rains had gone and the ripening period of January to March was moderate, allowing for an excellent ripening period for the districts Shiraz vines.

The crop was harvested at 13.1 beaume with excellent flavour levels. Acid did not fare so well, with fruit arriving at the winery at 4.5 grams/litre and a pH of 3.80. The grapes were handpicked and then crushed into tanks where it was held on skins for three days prior to ferment.

A portion of the wine finished ferment in new oak barrels. The wine was matured on 80 per cent new, mostly French barrels until bottling in December 2003. Minimal filtration was used.

The wine is medium-full bodied with rich coffee, blueberry and spice characters. Cedar characters are also evident with well integrated oak. The palate is round and smooth but with fine and evident tannin and good fruit weight giving the wine excellent length. Like most New World Shiraz wines it is drinking very well now, but has been made to age.

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