The lead-up to the 2013 vintage saw an early onset of summer, with occasional thunder- storms and only four heat spikes, into the 40s, over summer. A cooler than average January followed by a warm February, brought the predicted early vintage even further forward. Even after the dry-fecta of winter/spring/summer the word from the winery floor was that it would be another great Eden Valley riesling year, followed up with some great old-vine shiraz. Fortunately, a desperately needed 16mm of rain came, the first for nearly six months, at the beginning of March to help the dry-grown vines struggle through to full maturity. The roller-coaster weather ride continued through March with almost weekly cycles of hot and cold.

Dark and brooding aromas of ripe plums, raspberries and blueberries are followed by attractive spicy notes of mace, anise, cinnamon and black pepper.

The nose perfectly supports the palate that is equally rich and concentrated with a balance of fine acidity and velvety tannins providing complexity and length.

Crimson in colour.

Matured in seasoned French hogsheads for 10 months prior to blending and bottling.

Cool drizzly weather at the end of March nearly brought the harvest to a halt, but with a return to the Indian summer conditions in early April, it gave us a chance to get the late varieties in Eden Valley over the line, predominantly cabernet sauvignon and merlot, returning us to another great vintage of average yields and fabulous rock solid quality.