2002 Orlando St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Winery: Orlando Vintage: 2002 Region: Coonawarra Bottle Size: 750mlml Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Price: $45.00 (out of stock)

VINTAGE CONDITIONS

A relatively mild wet winter was followed by a cool moist spring, this resulted in healthy vine canopies with low crops. The summer conditions were some of the coolest on record with low rainfall. Autumn was unusually warm and remained dry providing

outstanding ripening conditions with no disease pressure. Winemakers regularly monitored the progress of ripening in the vineyards. Parcels of fruit displaying rich fruit character and full tannin profile were flagged for potential inclusion in St Hugo.

WINEMAKING

Eleven individual vineyards were treated separately throughout the winemaking process. Winemaking strategies varied between individual parcels, with the aim of creating a diverse range of Coonawarra cabernet base wines to allow for blend finessing after barrel maturation, and to build complexity in the final wine.

Fermentation was carried out in static fermenters at temperatures ranging from 20°C to 28°C for between seven and 22 days on skins. Ferments were pumped over twice daily to irrigate the grape skin cap

and facilitate tannin extraction. Ferments were drained periodically into open fermenters and returned to further enhance extraction. Wines were drained and pressed, with the press wine being blended

with the free run after clarification. Selected wines were drained into new French hogsheads to complete fermentation. After fermentation all wines were filled into predominantly new and one year old French oak, with a small percentage of new American oak. After 18 to 21 months of barrel maturation, blending trials were carried out and only those wines displaying the rich, ripe, and complex characters required of St Hugo were included. Individual barrel tasting of the selected base wines led to further culling of any unsuitable barrels. The selected wines were blended and bottled without fining. The wine will have received more than 15 months maturation in bottle before release in 2005. A small harmless tartrate deposit may formed in the bottle and accordingly for best results decanting prior to serving is highly recommended.

TASTING NOTE

Colour:

Deep vibrant red with crimson highlights.

Bouquet:

Complex fruit aromas of intense black currant, mint and crushed violets supported by cedar and dark chocolate gained from barrel fermentation and maturation in French oak.

Palate:

Concentrated black currant and blackberry flavour intertwined with firm youthful tannins and oak derived spiciness. The palate has excellent fruit richness balanced by refreshing acidity and impressive fine grained tannin structure. The length is satisfying with a touch of chariness that contributes to the savouriness of this wine.

WINE DETAIL   

Harvest Date: April 15 to May 3, 2002.

Bottling Date: March 23, 2004.

ASSESSMENT

A classic stylish Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon from a great vintage. This wine is rewarding drinking now but will become more complex and interesting with medium to long term cellaring

ANALYSIS           

Alcohol: 14.2% alc/vol Total Acid: 6.9 g/L pH: 3.41