The Vintage

The 2003 Vintage was a difficult hot year and very dry. Consequently the quantity was down. The good thing was the fruit ripened quickly and easily and it was a quick vintage with no threat of rain or disease. The wines from this year produced an interesting mix of varying degrees of quality.

 

Sauvignon Blanc

The 2003 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon shows herbaceousness combined with citrus fruit on the nose. These flavours carry through onto the palate. 2003 being a warm ripe year produces a wine with a rich and long palate with full mouthfeel.

This wine drinks extremely well now but will cellar for 5 years plus.

 

Chardonnay

The nose of the 2003 Chardonnay is clearly exhibiting gooseberry aromas combined with classy french oak. The gooseberry and melon flavours integrate well with the delicious french oak and rounded acid to produce a complex full finished wine.

Cellaring potential 12 years plus.

 

Gamay

The nose of the 2003 Gamay shows subtle red currant and blueberry aromas. The fruit flavours combine with the slight toasted oak flavour to produce a peppery, lingering palate. The acid and tannin with the above produce a demanding wine with extravert qualities.

Cellaring Potential 8 years plus.

 

Barmutha Cabernet Sauvignon/ Cabernet Franc/ Merlot

The Barmutha Cabernet Sauvignon/ Cabernet Franc/ Merlot has come about because of the warm hot year of 2003. The wine did not have the usual Sorrenberg finesse so it is being released under the Barmutha label. Priced accordingly a great winter red. The nose exhibits rich Cabernet overtones combined with oak. This follows through onto the pallet. Full flavours but still well balanced on the finish.