The Optimist

2005 Clare Valley "Helmsford" Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Wine: 2005 Clare Valley Helmsford SEMILLON SAUVIGNON BLANC
Semillon 89%, Sauvignon Blanc 11%

Winemaker: Les Sampson

Vineyards: The Semillon grapes were grown at our Helmsford vineyard. This cool climate property sits at an elevation 500m in the heart of the Clare Valley, immediately south of the famous Quelltaler winery. The land is undulating, with predominantly south facing slopes rising up from the road frontage to a ridge near the rear of the property with the northern portion falling away in the northerly and westerly direction. Soils are deep red loam over limestone of a terra rossa type on 29.11 Hectares.

The Sauvignon Blanc was selected from a small parcel of fruit from Mt. Torrens in the Adelaide Hills.

Vintage: Winter rains were low again for the year and Budburst was two weeks earlier than seasonal anticipation. Vine growth has been good and grapes were of high quality due to the cooler summer and its influence on grape slow ripened sugar levels, fruit flavour and great acid development.

Winemaking: The grapes were processed immediately after harvest at cool temperatures, with the juice being cold settled, before a gentle filtration, blending and bottling to maintain the fresh and crispy style with a minimum of intervention.

The wine colour is pale straw with tinges of green with an aroma of pears, apples and citrus with hints of grassy herbaceous notes.

The palate is intense and crisp with great mouth feel and impressive length as well as showing delicate notes of flavour and lingering acid.

Wine Analysis: Alcohol/Vol.13.4%, pH: 3.2 , TA 7.0 g/l. Res. Sugar 1.5 g/l

Abbey Rock Holdings Pty Ltd
ABN 95 590 500 361

PO Box 188
Balhannah SA 5242
Australia

Ph +61 8 8398 0192
Fax +61 8 8398 0188

email: les@abbeyrock.com.au

ABBEY ROCK WINES - Premium Australian Wines Red and White including Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot and Shiraz