A tough year in the vineyard but so far so good. Around Australia drought and frost have caused havoc reducing the expected crush by about 25% overall but we have not had too much impact. Our crops are small but the vines look in great heart. It is an early season and we should have no problems ripening. It is paradoxical that rain can be the enemy in a drought year. Last weekend (20th Jan) we had 50mm of welcome rain and it really lifted the vines. If we have rain like that close to harvest (mid March this year) it would cause problems with splitting of fruit. Here's hoping for mild dry weather close to picking.
We run the vineyard without irrigation and it is good to see the vines doing so well in such a difficult year.
Our 05 Chardonnay has caught the attention of the critics. Two wonderful reviews are below.
The Australian Financial Review Magazine
Nov 24th 2006
Philip Rich TOP 20 Wines
Geoff Weaver Chardonnay 2005
One of the unsung heroes of the Australian wine industry, Geoff Weaver has quietly gone about the business of making subtle and well crafted wines at his Lenswood vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, established in 1982. Weaver has devoted himself to the venture full time since leaving Hardys, where he was chief winemaker, in 1992.
This very bright wine exudes elegance with its pristine melon and nectarine fruit aromas and beautifully handled vanillin oak (50 percent new), which sits quietly in the background. The palate is equally linear and refined and there is a lovely thread of acidity that runs throughout the wine, suggesting that this should age superbly over the next five to 10 years.
Ralph Kyte-Powell
The Age
Tues 23rd January 2007
2005 Geoff Weaver Lenswood Chardonnay
GEOFF WEAVER CHARDONNAY 2005
In keeping with Geoff Weaver’s skill as a winemaker, complex winery inputs move this Adelaide Hills chardonnay well out of a simple fruit-plus-oak equation. Instead you get elaborate aromas of wholemeal bread, nuts, peaches and citrus fruits. In the mouth it’s seamless and lingering in rich flavour, yet gently savoury and dry. Delicious.
Ageing? Drink over two years plus. Food ideas: Salmon; snapper.
Price Range: $35-38
***** A superb example, a near perfect wine of great character, worthy of the big occaision.