The Optimist

2004 Clare Valley "Helmsford" Shiraz Grenache

Wine: 2004 Clare Valley Helmsford SHIRAZ GRENACHE
Shiraz 60%, Grenache 40%

Winemaker: Les Sampson
Vineyard: The grapes are grown at the 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.
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 and tannin development.

Winemaking: An aroma of ripe berries, white pepper, savoury spice and a hint of fragrant earthiness integrate to give and "old world" charm.

The palate is luscious, spicy and rich with soft, firm tannins providing backing to a long dry finish and giving a wine that is complex, mouth filling as well as elegant.

Analysis: Alcl/Vol. 14.6%, pH: 3.4, TA of 6.6 g/l. Res. sugar 2.0 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