$35.90
Region
Eden Valley
2015 Vintage
The 2015 growing season started well with above average early winter rains that filled the soils and dams, however it was dry from then on. Temperatures were above average in spring allowing the vines to get away to a good healthy start.
The dry weather meant that when the night time temperature dipped there were again late season frosts, but thankfully not damaging at Avon Brae. Summer was generally mild with the exception of a few days of extreme heat after New Year that were associated with the outbreak of the Sampson Flat bushfires in the Adelaide Hills on 2 January. The damaging fires burned for 7 days in the Adelaide Hills and despite some anxious days, the fires were far enough away that they had no impact on the Eden Valley.
Thirty millimetres of rain on 8 January helped quell the fires and refreshed the vines. Near perfect ripening conditions followed leading into an earlier than usual harvest. The Grüner Veltliner was first to come off, handpicked by our extended family, Riesling and Viognier were next with it all picked by the second week of March. Shiraz and Cabernet ripened at the same time this year and were harvested around Easter.
2015 was a cracking vintage in pace, yield, and above all quality and is likely to surpass the 2002 vintage in greatness.
2015 Eden Hall Cabernet Sauvignon tasting
The 2015 Eden Hall Cabernet Sauvignon comes from selected rows in Block 3 and spent 17 months in French Oak followed by more than a year in bottle prior to release. It is deep crimson in colour opening with capsicum, mint and lead pencil on the nose followed by generous cassis and black cherry on the palate. A ponderous, complex wine with dusty tannins that add length and hold the drinker's attention. Enjoy now and beyond 2033.
$35.90
Region
Eden Valley
2015 Vintage
The 2015 growing season started well with above average early winter rains that filled the soils and dams, however it was dry from then on. Temperatures were above average in spring allowing the vines to get away to a good healthy start.
The dry weather meant that when the night time temperature dipped there were again late season frosts, but thankfully not damaging at Avon Brae. Summer was generally mild with the exception of a few days of extreme heat after New Year that were associated with the outbreak of the Sampson Flat bushfires in the Adelaide Hills on 2 January. The damaging fires burned for 7 days in the Adelaide Hills and despite some anxious days, the fires were far enough away that they had no impact on the Eden Valley.
Thirty millimetres of rain on 8 January helped quell the fires and refreshed the vines. Near perfect ripening conditions followed leading into an earlier than usual harvest. The Grüner Veltliner was first to come off, handpicked by our extended family, Riesling and Viognier were next with it all picked by the second week of March. Shiraz and Cabernet ripened at the same time this year and were harvested around Easter.
2015 was a cracking vintage in pace, yield, and above all quality and is likely to surpass the 2002 vintage in greatness.
2015 Eden Hall Shiraz tasting
The 2015 Eden Hall Shiraz comes from selected rows in Block 4 and spent 18 months in French Oak followed by more than a year in bottle prior to release. It is bright crimson/purple in colour, the nose is dominated by spice and sweet dark fruit with tar lurking in the background. Chewy plum and black fruits are followed by savoury tannins providing a broad palate of great length. Enjoy now and beyond 2033.
$29.90
Region
Eden Valley
2017 Vintage: In stark contrast to the previous year, the 2017 growing season followed a long wet winter that replenished soil water profiles and a wet, windy September. A mild summer included regular rainfall events ensuring a long, cool ripening period. Bunch weights were increased leading to yield levels getting back to average and a harvest schedule also getting back to “normal” with Riesling coming off at the end of March and into April whilst the reds were picked in May. 2017 Eden Valley Riesling will be a stand-out and the reds aromatic and elegant as usual, but not as big.
2017 Grüner Veltliner tasting
Our third Grüner vintage from vines growing blissfully alongside their natural soulmate, Riesling (and showing some similar characters). Pale straw in colour with a savoury nose including cloves and white pepper. The palate is broad offering nectarine and white peach over citrus. A textural wine yet a pure, clean, mineral finish. Chill and drink now, but will also age gracefully
$29.90
$20.90
Region
Eden Valley
2018 Vintage
The 2018 growing season started off well following above average winter rainfall, but it was dry and warm after that. Owing to later veraison in the Eden Valley as opposed to the Barossa floor, the hot spell in January and February did not cause any concern to the Avon Brae vineyard and the vines took it all comfortably in their stride.
Thankfully, Mother Nature did not dish out any adverse events this year and harvest started in March with the whites, and finished on 19 April with the last of the Cabernet blocks. Yields were above average across the board, but quality was good, with Riesling a standout as usual.
2018 Eden Hall Opulence Riesling tasting
This is our first foray into making a sweet Riesling. A parcel of fruit from Block 10 was made separately and the fermentation was stopped by super chilling, retaining some residual sugar and natural acidity, resulting in a wine of low alcohol (7.1%) and 61g/L sugar.
It is pale straw in colour with a highly perfumed nose. The first sip takes you by surprise with full-on fruit sweetness, but the second reveals a balanced, generous palate dominated by Pink Lady apples and cinnamon.
An opulent wine with a lingering finish like a good apple cider, but without the bubbles! Best drunk chilled as an aperitif, or with spicy Asian foods, or at the end with desserts and cheeses – a wine for all occasions! An open bottle kept chilled can be enjoyed over a week or two without deteriorating. Ready to drink now, but will cellar well.
$20.90
Region
Barossa Valley, Eden Valley
2016 Vintage
In a word, the 2016 growing season was dry! Rainfall was well below average through winter and spring and like 2015 there were many late season frosts – indeed at Avon Brae we had our latest frost in living memory on 12 December 2015. Again, like the two previous vintages, the region was devastated by a catastrophic bushfire – this time the Pinery fire burned 86,000 hectares of farming land adjacent to the Barossa from 25 November to 2 December and again the Eden Valley thankfully escaped unscathed which allowed us to lend a hand to our relatives at Freeling. December and early January were warm, but rains at the end of January and early March were god sent and along with milder weather we eventually realised ideal ripening conditions leading up to vintage.
Harvest started early with some of the Riesling on 26 February and this year the Grüner Veltliner was late, coinciding with the last of the reds coming off in early April. The yields were above average for the whites and below average for the reds, but high quality across all varieties. It seems that the Eden Valley is able to handle almost anything that nature throws it way, and still come out on top!
2016 was a cracking vintage in pace, yield, and above all quality and is likely to surpass the 2002 vintage in greatness.
2016 Eden Hall Cabernet Sauvignon tasting
The 2016 Eden Hall Springton Cabernet Sauvignon is deep crimson-red, with liquorice and mint on the nose. The palate is filled with ripe rich black fruit finishing with mouth-filling dusty tannins. An approachable drink-now interpretation of the noble Cabernet Sauvignon.
$20.90
$18.90