BY the end of this week the last of the white grapes from around the region will be picked - these from the highest and coolest sites. Reports of good riesling, very good gewurtztraminer and sauvignon blanc and excellent chardonnay have come in from all parts of the region.
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Daniel Shaw, from Philip Shaw Wines, is very pleased with the chardonnay from vintage 2016. Flavour is excellent and the balance provided by surprisingly good acid levels suggests a cracker range of wines will be in the market in a year or so.
The main red grape harvest is just beginning, a couple of weeks early; most pinot noir, the earliest of the red varieties, is in and is showing good colour and fruit intensity - a direct result of high UV through the growing season.
Comparisons with the very good 2008 vintage are being made, and given the quality of the chardonnay, my own view is that 2002 may also be a good comparison.
Shiraz from many vineyards has been picked with the cooler sites above 800m still to come. Merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon will follow over the coming weeks.
From a grape-grower’s perspective these warm, dry days are perfect - the only issue being the rush to get all the fruit off the vine. Surprisingly many crops are coming in at average to above average cropping levels providing a good result for many. Definitely an excellent growing season – vintage of the century? Time will tell.
Happy vintage.
Cheers,
