Vintage 2005 was early, warm, quick, fantastic quality with good yields - and exhausting. Above average winter rains led into a beautiful spring, with some early November frosts but good flowering weather in late November and early December. Summer was wet and wild, with an amazing roller-coaster of weekly thunderstorms that helped maintain good subsoil moisture. Rains in January were followed by a dry February, and the dry weather continued right through the autumn.

Perfumed with five spice and sweet, lifted, ripe blackberry fruits, violets, plums and anise, supported by cedary oak.

The silky palate is soft, fleshy and lush with satsuma plums, black fruits and violets and subtle hints of mint and clove; a seamless structure finishing with long fine tannins.

Deep crimson with violet hues.

Matured in new French oak hogsheads for two years.

Warmer than usual autumnal weather caused an early, compact harvest of above average yields. The late Indian summer lasted into May, well after all the fruit was harvested, at maturity figures, flavour and colour not seen before the 2002 vintage. The quality of the 2005 vintage is sure to be ranked as one of the best on record, after 2002, with all varieties showing strongly. Once again the signature varieties for Eden Valley, ie, riesling and shiraz, performed brilliantly.

***Single Harvest Day***: 16 March 2005