The latest releases in Leasingham Bin range
24th October, 2003
The latest releases in Leasingham Bin range - Bin 7 Riesling, Bin 61 Shiraz and Bin 56 Cabernet Malbec are from three vastly different vintages.
For Senior Winemaker Kerri Thompson, these seasonal differences provided some unique opportunities.
"2003 was the worst drought in over a decade, broken midway through the growing season by welcome heavy rainfall. We were pleased to see that fruit freshness and natural acidity in our Riesling fruit was maintained given the difficult seasonal conditions.
"Excellent vine health during the 2001 vintage saw vines hold their canopy well and avoid fruit sunburn during a hot and dry January, so that in the second half of the ripening period, grapes ripened well. It was a vintage with warm, even ripening conditions, which ensured both flavour ripeness and concentration was achieved across red and white varieties.
"Conversely, the 2000 vintage was a vintage of extremes with warmer than average ripening conditions. Hailstorms in the 1999 growing season wiped out most of our Schobers vineyard, where Classic Clare Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is sourced from, so we decided not to make our top wines that year because there simply weren't enough grapes."
"The bonus is that the premium parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon fruit we'd reserved for Classic Clare has gone into the Bin 56, offering fantastic concentration of colour and flavour", she said.
The Leasingham Bin range is available from fine wine retailers nationally.
2003 Bin 7 Riesling
rec retail: $14 - $17 - Release Date: Available now
The 2003 vintage, with its warm ripening conditions, enabled good fruit development and natural acidity to be maintained. Fruit is sourced from various sub-regions within the Clare Valley, predominantly Watervale and Neagles Rock.
Pale straw in colour, the nose shows lifted citrus spice with fresh lemon and mineral salts. On the palate, the wine has intense citrus fruit concentration balanced with mouth watering acidity and a crisp, clean finish. Drink now or try cellaring it for more than a decade to enjoy the delights of an aged Clare Riesling sealed with a screwcap.
2001 Bin 61 Shiraz
rec retail: $20 - $24 - Release Date: Available now
Fruit for this wine was sourced from various vineyards within the region including Leasingham's own renowned Provis and Schobers vineyards.
After fermentation, parcels were matured in a combination of American and French barriques for 18 months. Deep ruby red in colour, the nose has a lifted perfume of mulberry fruit and hints of coffee mocha. On the palate, ripe, sweet mulberry and cassis flavours are complexed with hints of roasted coffee bean and liquorice. The upfront bold fruit is balanced with fine tannins and long, persistent flavours.
2000 Bin 56 Cabernet Malbec
rec retail: $20 - $24 - Release Date: Available now
The Leasingham Bin 56 Cabernet Malbec blend upholds a significant Clare Valley tradition, celebrating it's 31st vintage with this release.
As no Classic Clare was vinified, the 2000 Bin 56 comprised the best Cabernet Sauvignon of the vintage, blended with 20% Malbec, then matured in a combination of 80% French and 20% American barriques for 18 months, producing a wine with rich full fruit flavour.
Deep ruby red in colour, the bouquet shows lifted blackberry spice and violets with underlying tobacco leaf. The flavours on the palate are rich blackberry and blackcurrant fruit with a hint of cassis. Spicy oak and fine tannins adds definition, making this a good wine to drink now or cellar for the short term.