Filter reports by year

• 2015
• 2014
• 2013
• 2012
• 2011
• 2010
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001
• 2000
• 1999
• 1998
• 1997
• 1996

2005 vintage report for Mount Benson (South Australia)

The 2005 vintage in Mount Benson could be characterised as a mild growing season, below average yields and very good reds.
The winter and spring rains were above average and most vineyards used very little irrigation through the start of the growing season. A late hot and dry summer and autumn created perfect ripening with little disease pressure. All wineries reported high Baumes, high levels of acidity and good quality.
A frost on the 25 October caused significant crop losses to some vineyards.
All vineyards reported average or below average yields. Some vineyards were below five tonnes per hectare.
The winemakers summarised the wines as a good white vintage and a very good red vintage.
White wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier, were in short supply and had good acidity and strong varietal characters. Red wines were outstanding with good intensity, good colour and acidity. Shiraz wines show ripe fruit flavour and Cabernet Sauvignon wines are intensely perfumed. Generally, other varieties were good with Merlot perhaps not as intense as previous vintages.