Coriole’s take on a more Vouvray-ish expression of Chenin Blanc. It probably is optimistic to attempt this in McLaren Vale so the title fits. The vineyard from which the grapes were sourced was planted in 1977. It has that going for it.
Smells alright. Baked green apples, bread and a sliver of cheese with some tropical notes. The form isn’t great. Lees and oak work against the acidity leaving the palate slightly flat. Not a disaster by any means but I’d be drinking it sooner rather than later. It finishes savoury with hints of nuts and bitter herbs. Some slightly clumsy woody phenolics. 87
Region: McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $25
Tasted: October 2013
Its a particularly tough gig for local makers trying to emulate Vouvray when you can get the real Loire Valley thing here, with substantial age(Marc Bredif 2000) for a dollar more than the cited price of the Coriole! A tough gig indeed.
So true Geoff. I suspect Coriole produce a lot more of their standard Chenin then they do of this. Probably much more profitable too. I’ve got the 2013 here to look at soon. It’s usually in the ‘crisp, dry white’ mold that’s so much easier to sell to consumers.
You just have to look at the Liquorland ads – in summer all they push are ‘crisp, dry whites’ and in winter ‘rich, bold reds’. There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with either of those categories but when you reduce wine to that then you’re just playing to the lowest common denominator. I guess that even if I don’t think the Optimist is a great wine and that the region is too warm to pursue the style I’m still kind of happy Coriole have given it a go.
“even if I don’t think the Optimist is a great wine … region too warm”
Better qualify that Jeremy, the 2005 The Optimist was (and still is) a great wine and unfortunately under cork. Also looks like they’re had to substantially reduce the price, the 2005 was $35.
Peter – I haven’t tasted the 2005 The Optimist so I have no opinion on it. The 2010 is, in my opinion post tasting, not a great wine. I’m quite clearly referring to the 2010. I still believe the region is too warm for this style. I have nothing to qualify about these opinions and stand by them.