The Wines

With now over a decade of vintages behind us there are some clear style characteristics that have emerged. The common themes of freshness, subtlety and complexity underpin each of our wines.

Varietal personality is evident and of course each season reveals new variations. These wines, with their freshness, natural acid and depth are built to last and display a beautiful evolution of flavour as they age.

Sauvignon Blanc The first release of Sauvignon blanc from our vineyard at Lenswood was in 1989 and since that time we have established a reputation for producing wines of great power and depth of flavour. At Lenswood the climate is cool enough to grow grapes with intensity of fruit and still with enough warmth to ensure full ripening and richness of flavour. To me the secret with Sauvignon blanc is to grow the vines in a cool region with low crops per vine which ensures fruit intensity, ripeness, concentration of middle palate flavour and a natural fresh acid balance. It is this depth of flavour which distinguishes excellent Sauvignon blanc from the thin, weedy examples of Sauvignon blanc which are so common. Tasting Notes: 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |

Ferus Sauvignon Blanc Wild yeast and oak aged Tasting Notes: 2005 | 2004 |

Riesling Riesling was the first variety we planted at Lenswood in 1982 with the first small crop in 1985. Our Riesling is on the austere end of the range of Riesling styles made in Australia and as such is the logical extension of the fine, subtle long lasting wines from Eden Valley which have such an established place among the great wines of this variety. To me the essence of our Riesling is gentle, fine floral aromatics with the palate showing great finesse and delicacy. There is a mineral element about these wines and a wonderful capacity to fill out and grow in complexity with age, free from the heavy, overt, toasty aged characters that dominate many aged Australian Rieslings. Tasting Notes: 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 |

Chardonnay Our first Chardonnay wine from Lenswood was made in 1996. Our style is now well established and is based upon ripe fruit with the multi-layered complexity derived from barrel fermentation, extended yeast lees contact in the barrel and malolactic fermentation. These are wines of power yet with subtlety, not fruit dominated but of great complexity and length. The fine, creamy richness fills the mouth with lingering flavour. Tasting Notes: 2005 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 |

Pinot Noir The first Pinot produced from our vineyard at Lenswood was in 1996 (1 barrique only). The Pinot vines were first planted in 1992 and, now we have 3 acres planted; one acre each of three clones in our warmest vineyard sites. First planted was D5V12 which tends to set more crop than desirable, but when rigorously thinned, produces lovely flavours and the vines, although young, are able to fully ripen their tiny crop. Our one acre produced 4 barriques in 1998 which represents 1.25 tonnes for the acre. (22hl/ha) . Tasting Notes: 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |

Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot vines were planted at our Lenswood vineyard in 1983. There are 1.7ha of Cabernet Sauvignon and 0.44ha of Merlot planted. In normal years our blend is around 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. The first release of Cabernet-Merlot from our vineyard at Lenswood was in 1988. The vines have excellent capacity to ripen their modest crops and provide flavour complexity and richness. Tasting Notes: 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 |