A beautiful vintage now behind us. Later budburst meant ripening later in March. Only one hot spell over summer and that was before veraison so had minimal impact on the vineyard. Our dry grown vines sailed through the hot weather. Crop levels were a little below average.
Picking started 17th March and finished on the 27th which is our normal ripening time unlike the previous two year in which we picked early March. The weather was perfect. Lovely flavours and good natural acids in all varieties.
We have made some Ferus (wild yeast, barrel ferment) Sauvignon blanc this year as well as our normal Sauvignon.
Our 2008 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were bottled in late February and I am thrilled with the wines. Tightly structured with great flavour richness. Built for the long haul and sealed with Stelvin to guarantee freshness and no taint.
An excellent review from James Halliday writing about his top 100 tasting;
In the over $20 Sauvignon Blanc group there was a profusion of delicious wines led by 2008 Geoff Weaver Lenswood (94 points) in classic Weaver style, delicate yet intense, thanks to estate grown Adelaide hills grapes picked at precisely the right moment, then meticulous attention to detail in the winery.