The 2007 vintage, surprisingly, resulted in excellent quality wines and average yields being obtained from the Adelaide Hills. The highly publicised drought of 2006 had been reported as the worst ever. Our Lenswood vineyard in the Adelaide Hills received only half its annual rainfall and was one of our driest seasons. Despite an early winter break, rainfall during winter and spring was the worst for years in the lead-up to flowering. There was no spring frost damage in Lenswood due to the steep terrain, but lack of subsoil moisture due to the drought, helped to control yields. Brief heat waves occurred during January; otherwise, it was mild and dry. At the end of January a tropical air mass connected with a cold front to bring good rains to the agricultural areas of South Australia, with flooding in the north. The rainfall fell steadily over four days, coinciding with verasion, which freshened up the vine canopy to assist with ripening the fruit for harvest. February was recorded as the hottest for 100 years, bringing the harvest forward.

Fragrant nectarine, nashi pear and stone-fruit aromas entwined with butterscotch and nougat complexities and slatey mineral notes.

The savoury palate is rich and full of stone-fruits, white currant and pear skin flavours, with flinty minerality and texture on the mid-palate that leads to complex layers and texture with lingering flavours of melon, spice and nectarine.

Pale green-gold with copper hues.

Fermented in tank and held on lees for 6 months with regular stirring to build complexity.

The vintage began three to four weeks early, one of the earliest on record, remaining dry and mild allowing for good maturity. The whites were picked by March 20 and the reds by April 18, a record early finish. In summary, a warmer and drier Eden Valley-like vintage with good average yields and excellent quality.

***Single Day Harvest***: 11 March 2007