2005 Australian Vintage

Good winter and spring rains established favourable soil moisture in most locations. Ripening and harvest were generally cool to mild, with regular, refreshing rain in most regions. Temperatures were mild with few sustained hot periods, and rainfall was moderate and generally well timed, giving steady ripening and minimal disease. Heavy rainfall and hail damage affected small areas of the Riverina (NSW) and limited parts of eastern Victoria. Harvest began about 7 to 10 days earlier than usual. The Barossa had a mild, dry vintage with temperatures in the mid-20s during January and early February, then a quick finish as all grapes ripened together during a burst of heat. Yield reports differ: the WFA cites higher than average yields, while Decanter's early indications pointed to an average-yielding season.

• Mild temperatures and well-timed rain
• Harvest about 7 to 10 days earlier than usual
• Barossa: a compressed harvest after a burst of heat

The estimated crush was a record 1.924 million tonnes, 6% more than the 2004 record of 1.817 million tonnes. Reds rose slightly to 1.069 million tonnes (56%) and whites 14% to 855,000 tonnes (44%). Chardonnay surged almost 34% to 416,000 tonnes, second only to Shiraz. The crush would have been higher had some grapes not been left on the vines in response to declining prices.

• 1.924 million tonnes, a record, 6% above 2004
• Chardonnay up almost 34% to 416,000 tonnes

The Barossa crush was 100,518 tonnes in 2005, and the compressed harvest was a headache for winemakers seeking storage space. Good summer rains and mild ripening conditions enabled an unexpectedly large crop, with uneven ripening (notably in Shiraz), fruit often picked a little later than usual, and fermentation capacity generally pushed to the limit.

• 100,518 tonnes crushed
• Uneven ripening, notably in Shiraz

Decanter described the wines as fruit-forward with excellent structure and named the Granite Belt, Barossa Valley and Margaret River as the best appellations. The Barossa Grape and Wine Association says the compressed harvest produced big, ripe, rich flavours and wines of immense power and structure. The WFA described the vintage as one of consistent good quality across all regions.

• Decanter: fruit-forward wines with excellent structure