Vintage notes

The long drought broke in typical Australian fashion with flooding rains in the eastern states. South Australia’s McLaren Vale was lucky to be spared the worst of the weather.

Vintage started with Chardonnay on the 8th of February and finished with the last of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache on the 26th of March.

Every vineyard has its own story but ours in 2009 is extremely positive. Dedicated work from all members of the Shingleback team resulted in exceptional batches of wine that after maturation and blending will bring a smile to the lips they pass.

2008 will be remembered as a unique vintage  - a vintage of contrast, with the early fruit being outstanding in richness and concentration, whilst the later, heat-affected fruit was left to shrivel on the vine.

The 2007 vintage will be remembered for the driest winter and spring on record. Early recognition of the severity of the drought triggered supplementary irrigation as early as bud swell.

The benevolence of the “weather gods” meant that the 2006 vintage was extremely orderly, but more importantly, resulted in highly aromatic and varietal wines with balanced acidity and fine tannins.

A cool summer and perfect dry, warm autumn in 2005 will possibly see it be recognised as one of South Australia's greatest vintages.

The three vintages preceding 2004 were climatically very different: 2001 – hot, 2002 – cool and 2003 – dry. The 2004 growing season was climatically normal....

Low winter rainfall and a dry spring reduced yields and provided concentrated small berry fruit.