New Cumulus wines

WINES TO TAKE YOU TO CLOUD 09 AND 10!

As a Major Sponsor of the 2012 NSW Wine Festival, Cumulus Estate Wines is a fierce believer in the quality of wines from NSW and in particular those produced from the high elevation, ancient volcanic soils of Mount Canobolas in Orange.

Committed to enhancing the reputation of the wines from Orange, NSW’s premier cool climate region, it is very timely that Cumulus can coincide the start of the NSW Wine Festival (25 Feb – 31 March 2012) with the release of the new vintages from their reserve range of wines, the…

2009 Cumulus Shiraz (RRP $30)

2010 Cumulus Chardonnay (RRP $30)

In 2008, Block 23 (with its deep clay loam threaded with quartz and shale, sitting above 605m elevation) produced shiraz of such quality it made a wine voted one of the Top 10 Shiraz in the world at the 2011 Syrah du Monde. The 2009 vintage followed suit and winemaker Debbie Lauritz again selected this block as the best in the company’s 508ha vineyard. However, wanting to strive for something a little extra she also blended in 10% from Block 51 (with its distinctive terra rossa soil) which “really seemed to add an authentic brightness to the wine,” said Debbie. “We also included some whole bunch components which worked really well and increased the texture and funky elements in the wine.”

Debbie continues, “The 2010 Cumulus Chardonnay again comes from Blocks 14B and 15. The harsh soil conditions here consistently produce strong vines with extra character and the basalt-derived loam with quart and shale in Bock 15 creates intriguing mineral characteristics in the fruit.  We did experiment a little in the winery though, using more natural fermentation, a little less malo and refined oak use.”

Following gentle whole bunch pressing the majority of free-run juice was barrel fermented in a combination of new and aged oak barriques. A few selected parcels were placed in larger puncheons and “The Egg” fermenter (an oval, concrete fermenter which follows biodynamic principles), using a combination of cultured and wild yeasts. Debbie adds, “We are continually evolving our use of oak, each year selecting the best coopers, barrels, toasting levels and wood types to suit our wines. For the 2010 we matured the wine for 12 months in a mix of French and Hungarian oak. Whilst drinking well now, I’m confident that this wine will continue to develop into something really special over the next 5 years.”

The Cumulus Shiraz 2009 and Cumulus Chardonnay 2010 will be the star attractions at the Cumulus Estate Wines stand at Sydney Cellar Door, part of the 2012 NSW Wine Festival. Join the Cumulus team in Hyde Park South, Sydney on Saturday 25 or Sunday 26 February to taste these great wines, alongside the Rolling and Climbing ranges.

Cumulus Estate Wines prides themselves on their sustainable approach in the vineyard, and all the fruit used for these wines is grown with the long-term view of producing healthy, balanced vines with minimal intervention.

Cumulus Shiraz 2009 & Cumulus Chardonnay 2010 – both RRP $30

Stockists: Distributed by Cumulus Estate Wines; available nationally though independent liquor stores or buy direct via www.cumuluswines.com.au