Leasingham Classic Clare Celebrating a decade of Classic reds
14th July, 2004
As trends come and go, classics rarely waver, which is why Leasingham’s flagship Classic Clare wines remain as collectible as they were a decade ago.
The latest vintages of these prestigious wines - released 10 years after the inaugural 1991 vintage Classic Clare reds - are the 2001 Classic Clare Shiraz and 2001 Classic Clare Cabernet Sauvignon.
They represent the pinnacle of winemaking excellence at the historic Leasingham Winery, and are the best reds of the 2001 Clare Valley vintage, crafted and nurtured by Leasingham’s talented Senior Winemaker / Manager Ms Kerri Thompson.
"We make richly concentrated wines that display all the hallmarks of the region. The Shiraz is classically powerful, complex and elegant, while the Cabernet Sauvignon maintains true elegance and definition.
"These are the best Classic Clare reds we have released since the revered 1998 vintage. Not only did we have a vintage in which seasonal conditions were favourable, but Leasingham’s dryland vineyards performed exceptionally well", Ms Thompson said.
The 2001 vintage promised much from the very beginning. The above average rainfall experienced in the later half of 2000 meant that soil conditions were favourable for healthy canopy growth, while weather conditions during flowering produced excellent fruit set. A hot and dry January promoted ripeness, with fruit reaching good sugar and flavour ripeness at 13.5 to 14.5 Baume.
2001 Classic Clare Shiraz
Release Date: July 2004
Rec retail: $45 - $50
Richly concentrated, this Shiraz epitomises the true essence of the Clare Valley - complexity and elegance. Fruit was sourced from the dry-land Schobers vineyard (situated at the southern end of the valley), and Provis vineyard (located 5 km north-east of Clare) and harvested between 13.5 and 14.5 Baume.
Post maceration, fruit spent seven to ten days on skins, including three days of cold maceration before pressing and racking into oak. The wine was aged in a combination of 80% new, and 20% one-year-old French oak barriques for approximately 18 months before being blended and bottled in December 2002.
2001 Classic Clare Cabernet Sauvignon
Release Date: July 2004
Rec retail: $45 - $50
Fruit was sourced from both the Provis and Schobers vineyards and fermented in small batches in open fermenters for up to 10 days. The wine was then matured for 18 months in 80% new and 20% one-year old French oak barriques, and spent a further 12 months in bottle prior to release.