MARCH 2006
This month, Wolf Blass celebrates 30 years of Black Label winemaking with the release of the 2002 Wolf Blass
Black Label Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec.
Over the years four winemakers have crafted Black Label into the iconic wine that it is today: Wolf Blass AM,
John Glaetzer, Chris Hatcher and Caroline Dunn have each contributed their own personality and style, thereby
influencing this super premium wine.
Wolf Blass Black Label was the forerunner of the modern Australian wine style, and continues to build on the
elements and philosophies developed in the sixties by winemakers Wolf Blass and John Glaetzer. Under the
influence of Chief Winemaker Chris Hatcher and Wolf Blass Red Winemaker Caroline Dunn, Wolf Blass Black
Label has transitioned from a heavier American oaked wine style to that characterised by refined oak influence
and solid fruit concentration.
According to Wolf Blass Chief Winemaker Chris Hatcher, "Wolf Blass Black Label continues today to be the
finest red blend the Wolf Blass Winemaking Team can make from the highest quality grapes available from each
vintage. While the wine style has evolved over the last 30 years the winemaking philosophy we adhere to today
remains in keeping with what Wolf Blass and John Glaetzer pioneered 30 years ago."
"Wolf Blass Black Label is about creating a wine style that has the potential to age for a minimum of 20 years yet
has the balance to be enjoyed when released. Our focus is on fruit ripeness and integrated oak. The 2002 release
is rich and opulent, yet fine and elegant. This wine shows exceptional complexity and balance, excellent
persistence of flavour and supple, velvety tannins," said Chris.
The 2002 Wolf Blass Black Label Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec is a fine example of super premium
Australian wine and an outstanding example of the elegant yet powerful wines crafted from the outstanding
2002 vintage.
The 2002 South Australian vintage was a winemaker's dream. The season began with a cool, wet winter and
spring, and, after the coolest summer on record in South Australia, ended with a cool dry autumn. These
conditions allowed the grapes to ripen very slowly and to realise their full potential of colour and flavour whilst
retaining a fine, elegant structure.
"Wolf Blass Black Label is about fruit power and richness. It is always a classic Australian blend based on Shiraz
and Cabernet Sauvignon, and vintage dependent as to which is more predominant. We often add other red
varietals to the final blend to add complexity and palate depth, as can be seen with the 2002 vintage where we
incorporated a small percentage of Malbec to enhance vibrancy and flavour on the palate," said Chris.
"Black Label developed a reputation as an iconic wine of the 70s and 80s - a reputation that has continued
throughout the decades. Today all Wolf Blass wines including Black Label benefit from the developments in our
winemaking facilities, our premium fruit sourcing and improvements in viticultural skills and practices. We also
have the benefit of hindsight and 30 years of experience, allowing us to refine the Wolf Blass Black Label style
while remaining true to its core philosophy," said Chris.
The 2002 Wolf Blass Black Label Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec is deep purple in the glass, the nose
shows intense lifted aromas of blackcurrant supported by complex layers of coffee, dark chocolate and subtle
mint notes. The rich full palate displays spicy bramble and plum flavours and well-integrated smoky oak.
Following crushing and de-stemming, individual parcels of juice were fermented on the skins for between five to
seven days, allowing the optimum release of colour and flavour without extracting excessive harsh tannins. The
wines completed fermentation in new French and American oak, then continued maturation for 24 months. The
final blend composition is 53% Shiraz, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Malbec, with each parcel fermented
and matured separately before the ultimate blend was chosen from hundreds of potential components tasted.
The 2002 Wolf Blass Black Label Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec is available nationally from leading
wine stores either individually or in special lay-down presentation boxes of six bottles. (RRP: $125.00 per bottle)
2002 Wolf Blass Black Label Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec awards:
Top Gold
2004 Royal Adelaide Wine Show (Class 50)
2004 Royal Queensland Wine Show (Class 33)
Gold
2005 Royal Queensland Wine Show (Class 36)
2005 Royal Melbourne Wine Show (Class 48)
2005 Royal Sydney Wine Show (Class 36)
2004 Royal Hobart International Wine Show (Class 55)
2003 Royal Queensland Wine Show (Class 23)
Suggested food:
Serve with aged Stilton or Cheddar cheeses, water crackers and quince paste.
Cellaring:
The 2002 Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon will develop with age and will reward a decade or more of
careful cellaring.
For more information contact:
Ildi Ireland, Brand Communications Manager (03) 8626 3374 ildi.ireland@fostersgroup.com
Media Note:
- Photography available on request
- Wolf Blass Black Label blend and regional details (1973 - 2002 vintage) available
