Coonawarra

2004 Coonawarra Vintage Report

• Coonawarra experienced a fine and mild spring and early summer resulting in above average crops.
• A cool January and March extended ripening over a greater than normal period resulting in very well defined fruit characteristics.
• The cool summer meant harvest was later than normal.

High bunch numbers and a very good fruit set resulting from a fine and mild spring and early summer resulted in above average crop loads. Mid summer and early autumn was marked by the coolest January on record and topped off by a cool March, ripening was extended over a greater than normal period, culminating in very well defined fruit characteristics.

Later season rains caused some concerns, however, good canopy management ensured fruit soundness was preserved, disease was minimal and Baumé levels achieved acceptable targets.

2004 was a large vintage compared to 2003 and might have been larger had it not been for hand and machine crop thinning in mid January — prompted by large bunch numbers on the vines and a spell of cool weather. This crop thinning resulted in yields on or close to target, but a little higher than average, harvested later than normal, thanks to the cool summer.

Against this trend, older vines in the heart of the terra rossa produced relatively low yields, required no crop thinning, and ripened their fruit fairly early.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Winemaker, Sue Hodder, rated Cabernet Sauvignon as the standout variety of 2004. "It's the best we've seen for at least six years. The wines have concentration and restraint and very long term keeping abilities. They show lovely varietal floral aromas of crushed violet and blackcurrant and bright fruit characters backed by a supple and fine tannin structure", Sue said.

The wines have concentration and restraint and very long term keeping qualities. They show lovely varietal floral aromas of crushed violet and blackcurrant and bright fruit characters backed by a supple and fine tannin structure.

After eight months in barrel, they showed no obvious oak character — a very good litmus test of fruit quality.

Despite the big crop, we made less Shiraz than usual. The berries were very big and, as a result of the low skin to juice ratio, the wines are soft and juicy but lacking the structure for long-term cellaring. They will drink well as young wines and cellar for the medium term.

2004 was a good year for Merlot. Mature vines now over 20 years old produced vibrant fruit with a remarkable purple hue, good depth and length of flavour and ripe tannins.

The 2004 Riesling shows lots of up front, lime-like fruit character and while it should age well in the medium term lacks the intensity and structure of the potentially very long lived 2003.

It was a solid year for Chardonnay resulting in an attractive, creamy textured wine with restrained stone fruit, citrus and tropical fruit character.