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2004 vintage report for Barossa Valley (South Australia)

A heavy fruitset initially had predictions for high yields in the Barossa, but bunch thinning around veraison brought crop levels back to manageable levels with promising quality. A mild January was excellent for optimal colour production and flavour development. Heatwave conditions in mid February saw acidity decline at a rapid rate in conjunction with rising baume levels. Harvest began earlier than first predicted, with the earliest Shiraz being picked in late February. Quality expectations returned to high after the February scare—the Barossa experienced an Indian summer with no huge rainfall events and temperatures ranging between 25°C and 30°C.

‘Semillon is some of the best ever and Shiraz has good colour with elegant flavours. We are thinking Shiraz will be somewhere between 2001 and 2002 in quality, i.e. very good,’ Reid Bosward from Kaesler Wines said.