2004 Australia Vintage

Good winter rainfalls and favourable spring and summer weather delivered a disease free vintage. It was one of the longest vintages in recent times, with dry, warm and stable conditions boosting red grape production in particular. After the previous year's drought, the weather was generally good across the board, with good rain and low levels of disease. In McLaren Vale, winter and spring rainfall was good, November was warm and dry with rapid flowering, January was the coolest in 12 years, and February ran above average with dry conditions into harvest. Two February days topped 44 C there, but shrivel and sunburn were minimal, and a longer than usual vintage was attributed to cool conditions during ripening. In the Barossa Valley, January was mild and a mid February heatwave saw acidity decline at a rapid rate as baume levels rose. Harvest began earlier than first predicted, with the earliest Shiraz picked in late February, and the Barossa then had an Indian summer with no huge rainfall events and temperatures between 25 and 30 C. Nationally, yields were above average in virtually all parts of Australia.

• Good winter rainfalls and favourable spring and summer weather; a disease free vintage
• One of the longest vintages in recent times, under dry, warm and stable conditions
• Barossa Valley: mid February heatwave; earliest Shiraz picked in late February
• McLaren Vale: coolest January in 12 years; two February days above 44 C

The WFA's June 2004 vintage report estimated the crush at 1.86 million tonnes, a record, 40% more than the drought affected 2003 vintage and 23% more than the previous record of 1.51 million tonnes in 2002. Red grape production rose to 1.07 million tonnes, passing 1 million tonnes for the first time. Shiraz rose 43% to 442,000 tonnes and Cabernet Sauvignon rose 41% to 317,000 tonnes. Decanter's guide gave a lower actual figure of 1.755 million tonnes, against an original prediction of 1.85 million tonnes, and said Australia would still have to contend with glut and oversupply.

• Estimated crush of 1.86 million tonnes, 40% above 2003 and 23% above the 2002 record
• Red grapes passed 1 million tonnes for the first time, at 1.07 million tonnes
• Shiraz up 43% to 442,000 tonnes; Cabernet Sauvignon up 41% to 317,000 tonnes

The WFA rated the vintage 'above average' to 'outstanding' quality across all regions, and said both warm and cool climate regions exceeded quality and yield expectations. Decanter named Yarra Valley, Margaret River and Coonawarra its best appellations for reds, and said classic Australian reds showing clear varietal character offered good value given the country's wine glut. In the Barossa, Reid Bosward of Kaesler Wines called the Semillon some of the best ever and said the Shiraz had good colour with elegant flavours, placing it between 2001 and 2002 in quality, "i.e. very good".

• WFA: 'above average' to 'outstanding' quality across all regions
• Decanter (reds): best appellations Yarra Valley, Margaret River and Coonawarra
• Barossa: Semillon some of the best ever; Shiraz with good colour and elegant flavours