Vintage Description
The La Niña pattern weakened during the lead-up to the 2012 vintage, resulting in below average winter and spring rainfall. July was the driest since the serious drought of 2003. Spring was mild with few frost events; however, flowering and fruit set were affected by wet drizzly weather in mid to late November, leading to only average yields. Summer was also surprisingly mild with below average temperatures from southerlies off the ocean in January and only two short heat events, at New Year and at the end of February. This provided for slow ripening which allowed for intense fruit flavours, high colour figures, high acidity and mature tannins. Rainfall leading up to vintage was above average, with the heaviest rainfall events in late January and late February, which tied in well with the natural physiology of the dry-grown vines; ie, keeping leaves active at veraison and ripening. Temperatures were mild during harvest through March, warming to an Indian summer in April, allowing for a long window of picking and amazing maturities with the red varieties. Shiraz was a standout variety showing great purity and spice, colour, intensity and strikingly mature tannins. Yields were average with exceptional overall quality.
Wine Description
Deep crimson with garnet hues. This stunning 60th vintage has incredibly fragrant aromas of ripe plum, blue and black berry fruits, spice, sage and fresh bay leaf with notes of tar and cedar. These aromas follow through to the palate with rich, complex, concentrated dark fruits, spice and herbaceous nuances, tightly wound balanced acidity, textured layers and fine, long velvety tannins.
Drinking Window: 2015-2062
