HEAR, HEAR FOR A TRIO OF OPTIMISTES

Wc15Sep08

wine with david ellis

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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PHOTO CAPTIONS:

. NEW Mudgee label inspired by a spirit of hope and passion

. CHUCK another shrimp on the barbie with this Classic White