For the second year in a row, McLaren Vale experienced a trouble-free growing season. Spring was fairly dry, but mild conditions allowed the vines to remain healthy. The summer was quite warm, with occasional rainfall, and the vines yielded only moderate crops, leading to an early but well-spaced harvest period. The red wines have good balance and ripeness levels – a good follow-up to the ’04s and without the tougher tannins and super-ripe flavours of the ’03s.

The grapes for this wine came from vineyards in several parts of McLaren Vale, ranging from Blewitt Springs to Sellick Hill in the south. They were fermented in both stainless steel static fermenters and rotary fermenters. Half the wine was matured in previously used French and American oak barriques for 12 months, which has allowed the fruit flavours to stand above oak characteristics.

Colour
Moderately deep purple-red colour.

Nose
A mix of blackberry fruit and spices, with slight cedar and earth complexity from development. The oak is quite subtle, adding hints of vanilla and mocha.

Structure / Palate
Full and round in the mouth, with good depth of berry and spice flavour. Very well balanced, with plenty of soft tannin.