Eden Valley – 2021
Following good (average) winter rains, budburst was even and buds showed good fruitfulness. Frost damage was significant in mid-October and early November, reducing the flowerheads in the later-bursting varieties. Otherwise spring was cloudy with good rains pre-flowering, followed by short bursts of hot weather in late November. Most flowering was early, occurring from mid-November onwards with riesling showing the most consistent fruit set, however the later flowering varieties were impacted by heat at the end of November and showed some coulure/shatter in the bunches. Strong winds on 5 December 2020 damaged the canopies but the slightly battered crop remained disease free. January was dry with a burst of heat prior to a perfectly timed rain event at veraison in early February. The lead up to vintage was cool, cloudy and mostly dry with the white varieties showing balanced acidities and good aromatics. After our coolest summer for 19 years, an Indian Summer followed on through Easter providing near-ideal conditions for ripening of red varieties, achieving sensational colours, flavours and tannin maturity. Overall the wines show great balance and potential for ageing.