Nature gave a small crop of well ripened grapes which have given this wine extra concentration and depth.  It was vinted using traditional methods employed to make Bordeaux red wine.
 
On release, the wine has a deep, ruby hue.  There is a dense core of fruit with hints of purple plums, blackberries, black cherries, cassis, liquorice and spice both on the bouquet and the palate.  It is chunky and muscular in the palate with a frame-work of well-ripened, fine-grained tannins which flow through the wine and help draw out the lingering after-taste. 

Naturally low levels of crop resulted from frequent blustery winds over flowering.  The season was otherwise excellent and produced beautifully ripened semillon, from which this wine is made.  Over the late autumn and winter the berries developed botrytis. 

Waipara was buffeted by frequent strong winds in late spring and early summer which coincided with the period when the grapes were in flower.  It impaired pollination and thus quite markedly reduced the crop level.  The rest of the summer, however, was excellent and the autumn was warm, dry and lingering.  We were thus able to harvest beautifully ripened grapes in optimum condition.

Waipara was buffeted by frequent strong winds in late spring and early summer which coincided with the period when the grapes were in flower.  It impaired pollination and thus quite markedly reduced the crop level.  The rest of the summer, however, was excellent and the autumn was warm, dry and lingering.  We were thus able to harvest beautifully ripened grapes in optimum condition.

Waipara was buffeted by frequent strong winds in late spring and early summer which coincided with the period when the grapes were in flower.  It impaired pollination and thus quite markedly reduced the crop level. 

Waipara was buffeted by frequent strong winds in late spring and early summer which coincided with the period when the grapes were in flower.  It impaired pollination and thus quite markedly reduced the crop level. 

Pollination of the grape flowers was affected by frequent strong, cool winds in late spring and early summer, resulting in a small crop of riesling grapes.  The rest of the summer was splendid and the autumn was warm, dry and lingering.  The berries became optimally ripe and flavoursome...

Waipara was buffeted by frequent strong winds in late spring and early summer which coincided with the period when the grapes were in flower.  It impaired pollination and thus quite markedly reduced the crop level.  The rest of the summer, however, was excellent and the autumn was warm, dry and lingering....

Waipara was buffeted by frequent strong winds in late spring and early summer which coincided with the period when the grapes were in flower.  It impaired pollination and thus quite markedly reduced the crop level.  The rest of the summer, however, and the autumn was warm, dry and lingering.  We were thus able to harvest beautifully ripened, flavoursome grapes which had retained good levels of natural acidity.