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2004 vintage report for Hunter Valley (New South Wales)

The growing season was a marked improvement on the drought-affected 2003 vintage. All varieties responded to useful periods of rain supplemented by irrigation systems. Spring was generally cool with good rainfall, leading to excellent flowering and fruitset. The lead-up to harvest in late January was extremely hot and continued into February, resulting in advanced ripening of all varieties. Crop expectations were generally exceeded in all varieties, particularly Semillon and Shiraz. In late February the Hunter had a dramatic change in the weather pattern with a 36-hour period of drenching rain. The cool weather that followed delayed ripening of the remaining crop. The 2004 whites are clean with crisp acidity and varietal structure. The reds, particularly those picked prior to the heavy rain in late February, are deep in colour and rich in fruit flavour.