1985 Australian Vintage
A forgettable year for most of Australia, with bright spots in central Victoria, Coonawarra, and Eden Valley saving the vintage's reputation.
The 1985 Australian vintage ranks as a generally difficult season, rated 2/5, with highly variable quality across regions. Extreme heat and vine defoliation hit South Australia, while wet March conditions compromised red wine quality in warmer areas. Central Victoria, Coonawarra, and Eden Valley delivered the standout exceptions.
- Overall vintage rating: 2/5, considered forgettable for Australian red wine with only occasional exceptions
- Hot, dry summer caused vine defoliation in South Australian regions near and north of Adelaide
- A wet March delayed harvest and compromised red wine quality in the warmer regions
- Southern South Australia and Victoria experienced a cooler than ideal but exceptionally dry summer
- Hunter Valley benefited from warm, dry conditions despite a late January hailstorm
- Mudgee was affected by serious frost, though quality remained good
- Penfolds Grange 1985 was produced as a 99% Shiraz and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon blend, noted as rich, full-bodied with high tannin
Growing Season Conditions
The 1985 vintage followed the cool 1984 season and brought markedly uneven conditions across Australia's wine regions. South Australian regions near and north of Adelaide endured a hot, dry summer that caused vine defoliation, followed by a wet March that delayed harvest and undermined red wine quality. Southern South Australia and Victoria saw a cooler than ideal summer, though conditions remained exceptionally dry. Oidium problems also affected white varieties during late spring in the Barossa Valley.
- Vine defoliation occurred in warmer South Australian regions due to heat and drought stress
- Wet March arrival delayed vintage timing and hurt quality in already-stressed warmer areas
- Cooler southern regions experienced dry conditions more favorable to quality retention
- Oidium (powdery mildew) affected white varieties in the Barossa during late spring
Regional Highlights and Challenges
Not every region struggled in 1985. The Hunter Valley benefited from warm, dry conditions through most of the season, though a late January hailstorm caused localised damage. Mudgee suffered serious frost, yet still produced good quality fruit. The most consistent quality came from central Victoria, Coonawarra, and Eden Valley, where conditions were better suited to delivering balanced, concentrated red wines.
- Hunter Valley: warm and dry overall, with hailstorm damage in late January
- Mudgee: frost-affected but quality remained surprisingly good
- Central Victoria, Coonawarra, and Eden Valley produced the vintage's best red wines
- Penfolds Grange 1985, sourced primarily from Shiraz, stands as a notable exception in South Australia
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Open My Cellar →Notable Wines and Producers
Despite the difficult season, a handful of producers delivered wines worth seeking. Penfolds Grange 1985 stands out as a rich, full-bodied wine with high tannin, composed of 99% Shiraz and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Other notable producers active during this vintage include Taltarni, Chateau Tahbilk, Jasper Hill, Mount Mary, Rosemount Estate, and Henschke, with the best results concentrated in central Victoria and Eden Valley.
- Penfolds Grange 1985: 99% Shiraz, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon; rich, full-bodied, high tannin
- Jasper Hill and Mount Mary among central Victoria's standout producers for the year
- Henschke in Eden Valley represented one of South Australia's brighter spots
- Chateau Tahbilk and Taltarni contributed to central Victoria's stronger regional performance
- Rosemount Estate Shiraz$12-18Rosemount was active in 1985; current releases offer accessible Hunter Valley Shiraz character.Find →
- Chateau Tahbilk Shiraz$25-35Central Victoria producer noted in the 1985 vintage; current wines reflect the same estate-driven style.Find →
- Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock Shiraz$70-90Central Victoria icon; one of the bright spots of the 1985 vintage and still a benchmark Heathcote Shiraz.Find →
- Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz$800-900Eden Valley's finest; the 1985 vintage highlighted Eden Valley as a quality exception in a difficult South Australian year.Find →
- Mount Mary Quintet$120-150Central Victoria producer active in 1985; Quintet is a benchmark for the region's Cabernet-based blends.Find →
- 1985 Australian vintage rated 2/5 overall; considered a generally forgettable season for red wine
- Vine defoliation in hot, dry South Australian regions north of Adelaide; wet March further compromised quality
- Best reds came from central Victoria, Coonawarra, and Eden Valley
- Penfolds Grange 1985 is a 99% Shiraz, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon blend noted for richness and high tannin
- Oidium affected white varieties in the Barossa Valley during late spring 1985