This vintage followed a close to a perfect growing
season for Wise and associated vineyards. Cropping
levels were elevated with respect to the last two years
where we saw differential budburst and flowering due
to seasonal conditions. This season was much milder.
With Cyclone Fay pushing down humid air streams from the north,
moist conditions just prior to harvest proved challenging for the viticulturist
with some splitting in thin skinned varieties such as Semillon and Zinfandel. This humidity was followed by dry hot days reducing the risk of any disease and allowing harvesting at optimum flavour levels.

In the Margaret River region low temperature variability led to even and slow berry ripening which preserved maximum fruit flavours. Early ripening whites such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc tended to have maximum flavour at lower sugar ripeness. This meant we were able to harvest at variable sugar maturities with the view of increasing complexity and blending options for the Classic White Semillon Sauvignon Blanc whilst retaining palate structure.

First off the rank was our ever successful Donnybrook Chardonnay which was painstakingly hand picked over 4 days by Wise vineyard and winery staff as a team building exercise. The Gin Gin clone chardonnay showed extra small bunches with many small berries which led to flavour concentration and picker frustration. The resulting wine, however, was worth the effort. It has intense tropical fruit and pear characters and is currently maturing in a mixture of new and used French oak.

Our Eagle Bay Shiraz remains full bodied with large amounts of plums, briary fruit and spices. The Lyre trellising system promotes a very open, well lit, canopy allowing a very even ripening profile and consequently, a superbly balanced wine.

Parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon for our Lot 80 will be kept separate to allow for a variety of blending options at racking. Cassis flavours and fine tannins of the northern Margaret River vineyards will marry with the mulberry, blackberry and minty characters of our old vine Bramley Vineyard. This will definitely be a wine to watch out for in the future.

Donnybrook Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from this vintage were blended post yeast fermentation to promote integration of flavours in this traditional blend. This wine displays chocolate and fruit cake characters and will mature with grace in select French oak cooperage.

2004 has been an outstanding vintage for Wise and we look forward to sharing these wines with you in the coming years.

Amanda Kramer - Winemaker
Tim Quinlan - Viticulturist