Vintage 2005 was early, warm and quick, with fantastic quality and 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. 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 since the 2002 vintage. The quality of the 2005 vintage is ranked as one of the best on record where all varieties showed strongly. Signature varieties for Eden Valley, riesling and shiraz, performed brilliantly.

Sweet, lifted aromas of blackberries, plums, cassis and mulberries with hints of anise, cedar and vanilla.

Sweet, ripe black berry fruits on the lush, layered palate with complex, velvety tannins, great concentration and a long, silky finish.

Very deep crimson in colour.

Matured in 20% new and 80% seasoned French and American oak hogsheads for 20 months prior to blending and bottling. Bottle aged at Henschke Cellars in Keyneton for cellar release.