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2005 vintage report for Margaret River (Western Australia)

The 2005 vintage in Margaret River, whilst outstanding, could have been recorded as the “vintage of all vintages”, had it not been for a number of scattered rain events in March and late April.
Ripening for most varieties was even and optimum, resulting in white wines which display fresh varietal characters typical of cooler years. Winemakers have reported that Chardonnay picked in early March is outstanding. These wines are showing intense melon and peach characters with plenty of fresh natural acid. White wines in general display lifted varietal flavour with intensity. Sauvignon Blanc throughout the region has been a highlight.
Red wine quality has also been very strong, particularly those picked prior to the end of March. Shiraz and Cabernet from throughout the region display generous colours and soft sweet fruit characters. Flavours are ripe and varietal, with Shiraz showing very attractive plum and berry flavours.
The growing season commenced with winter rains below average. Conditions for flowering were optimum and summer temperatures generally warm, with cool nights. February was generally mild and without any heatwaves.
There was virtually no effective rainfall that fell between mid-November and mid-March. The mild spring conditions and lack of rainfall for much of the growing season resulted in generally moderate shoot growth and particularly well-balanced canopies in most varieties.
The phenology of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot throughout Margaret River was unusually advanced for much of the growing season. In contrast, Shiraz development appeared to be delayed despite being normal when compared with other seasons. A short burst of heat around veraison in the whites resulted in the loss off some basal leaves on susceptible sites.
Commencement of white varieties from the northern areas was accompanied by warm days and nights putting pressure on harvesting times. Sauvignon Blanc, once again, was expressing intense varietal characters and flavour at below 12 Baume.
A wet cool week in early to mid March commenced with 7-15 mm of rain across the region. This increased botrytis pressure particularly in Chardonnay with some early signs in the Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Weather conditions that followed, whilst warm, were with damp cool evenings.
Heavy rains of up to 75 mm were recorded throughout the Margaret River region in late March. This resulted in a temporary halt to the intake of the large proportion of red grapes still on the vine at the time. Fortunately, most of the reds were already at or near to acceptable harvest maturity and, despite some dilution of sugar and flavour and very little further accumulation after the rain, most have produced sound, well-balanced wines. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot faired particularly well as did most of the Shiraz despite some softening of flesh and deterioration of skins in some of the slower ripening Shiraz blocks.
The weather during the closing stages of the 2005 vintage in Margaret River settled into a pattern of a few sunny days, a couple of light falls of rain and the ever-increasing botrytis pressure on the remaining reds. Temperature summation dropped right off from the end of March into the middle of April.