Out Of The Bottle
With David Ellis
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Hear, Hear For A Trio Of Optimistes...
After
growing some of the best fruit in NSW's Mudgee district and seeing
local winemakers scooping up the medals with the wines that came from
it, Steven and Sharlene Dadd took the plunge several years ago and
decided to go into the winemaking business themselves.
They got
great support for the venture they dubbed Optimiste Wines from
Arrowfield's acclaimed winemaker Barry Kooij, and have now been joined
by exciting young maker, Michael Slater.
The Dadd's have just
released their first wines, a 2005 Optimiste Cabernet Sauvignon, and an
Optimiste Petit Verdot and a Marquis from the excellent 2006 vintage -
the Marquis a beautifully smooth, flavoursome blend with signature
blackberry flavours from the 50% Cabernet, nice ripe plum fruit from
the 30% Merlot component and lifted aromas from the balance of Petit
Verdot.
The Dadd's dedicated their Marquis to young son, Marcus
whose inspiring struggle with deafness, they say, captures the spirit
of hope and passion of the Optimiste label.
Pay $24, and enjoy this one with lamb cutlets and a lentil salad.
One For Lunch...
Evans
& Tate drew fruit from across the whole of the Margaret River
region for their 2007 Margaret River Classic White, a wine that year
after year showcases the crisp zestiness of the Region's Semillon and
Sauvignon Blanc.
Tropical fruit notes from the Sauvignon Blanc
component and herbal gooseberry and nectarine from the Semillon make
this an ideal wine for al fresco dining, one that’s got "chuck another
shrimp on the barbie" written all over it… so pay $18.99, gather some
mates and do just that.
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