Australian Vintage Report 2001
After the wave of recent plantings of red grapes in Australia, it didn’t take the intuition of Einstein to figure that 2001 would probably shatter all production records, which it did. Led by a 50 increase in the crops of red varieties, the Australian vintage of 1.426 million tonnes was 25 above the previous record crop set in 2000. However, while the actual amount of white grapes harvested was only up by 2 on 2000 levels, the crop was actually 12,000 tonnes below expectations. There is presently a shortage of grapes for white wine, so had the overall crop reached expected levels, the news would perhaps have been better. But with the red crop coming in at a staggering 135,000 tonnes above the industry’s pre-harvest estimates, one could only suggest that red vineyards, especially the younger ones, might have carried too heavy a crop. If Australia is to reassert its presence in the fighting varietal section of the world market, it would perhaps be more prudent to focus on delivering better quality at a competitive price, beginning with lower yields.
After an ideal growing season leading up to ripening, 2001 was largely a hot vintage. In quality terms, however, the industry handled it much better than the previous hot season just a single year before. Vineyards were better managed and vines generally appeared to suffer less heat stress, although in many cases 2001 was actually hotter still than 2000. Naturally, the heat made disease a negligible issue. Western Australia was the one state which could possibly declare the season as a great one, while some excellent riesling came from Clare and some fine shiraz from the Barossa Valley and southeast South Australia. Some high-class red grapes were also harvested in the Adelaide Hills.
New South Wales
After some irregular seasons, 2001 was more like a mainstream vintage in New South Wales. The Lower Hunter was drenched by rain, but because of the warmth and earliness of the season, chardonnay and semillon largely made it into the tank before the downpour began. Reds were not so lucky, but the better-managed vineyards should produce fine, medium-weight wines in the typical regional style. The Upper Hunter didn’t have the same difficulties with reds, which were able to ripen fuller. Inland New South Wales – Cowra and Mudgee especially – enjoyed their best seasons for several years, especially with white grapes. Mudgee semillon and Cowra chardonnay were excellent, while cabernet sauvignon performed the best of Mudgee’s reds in slightly difficult conditions.
South Australia
While the Barossa Valley’s white grapes tended to cook somewhat under the season’s early burst of prolonged extreme heat, the reds fared considerably better, ripening in cooler weather and developing good flavours, colours and ripe tannins. Shiraz did best, with strong varietal flavours and aromatics. Eden Valley riesling was harvested after the extreme heat and has performed better than 2000, developing intense aromas and citrus flavours. Again, shiraz has done well, especially from older vineyards. Clare possibly dealt with the heat better than most Australian regions. Its rieslings look first-rate, in a tight and elegant style, while shiraz performed exceptionally. Aside from pinot noir, the Adelaide Hills enjoyed an excellent vintage, especially with chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. Langhorne Creek’s reds appear very promising, with cabernet getting the early nod over shiraz. McLaren Vale whites suffered from the same heat that challenged the Barossa’s, and while it was not an outstanding year, the reds are rich and full. Escaping most of the serious heat that concerned the warmer areas, hopes are high for Coonawarra, Padthaway, Wrattonbully and the rest of the state’s southeast. While it is not expected to be a great vintage, these regions should deliver some first-class reds.
Tasmania
Tasmania enjoyed an excellent vintage, after atypical warmth during flowering resulted in a huge fruit set, causing larger bunches and larger crops than usual, adequately ripened by one of the warmest summer’s in the state’s history. Perhaps not an ideal season for the finer and aromatic white varieties, the table wines from pinot noir and chardonnay are however particularly exciting. Some late vintage rainfall affected the later varieties like cabernet sauvignon in the south of the state, although makers are optimistic over quality. Pinot, however, should produce the stand-outs.
Victoria
Viticulture was again the key for the Victorian vintage, as crop levels determined whether or not grapes were harvested before or after two major spells of wet weather, one in mid to late March, the other in early to mid April. If pinot noir and chardonnay were able to ripen before the bad weather, quality should be impressive. Victoria’s problems were compounded by some extreme heat summation during flowering, which led to bunches of unprecedented size, so it was easy to grossly under-estimate crop levels and consequently miss out on quality. However, like so many Victorian vintages, the warmer sites with sensible crop levels did the job and did it well. Of the reds, shiraz was perhaps the best performer across the state. In the northern parts of the state, the key variable was whether or not growers had learned from 2000 and left enough vine canopy to deal with the heat. Quality could range from very patchy to very good over most of the state, with regional differences less significant than viticultural approach.
Western Australia
2001 was a year of liberally spread fortune in Western Australia. It is potentially the state’s best overall vintage for several years. As with other recent vintages, early heat got the season off to an early start, but as later varieties were nearing harvest, the conditions went cooler. Better-managed vineyards at sensible crop levels should have an advantage, while a concern does exist over potentially excessive extract in red wines, in similar fashion to the way opportunities were lost all over Australia in 1998. The Great Southern produced fine, delicate rieslings and vibrant sauvignon blancs. The earlier-ripening cabernet franc and merlot are its best-performed reds, while some excellent shiraz will come from the Porongorups. Pemberton/Manjimup produced reds with excellent colours and ripe fruit, while its chardonnay and sauvignon blanc has good varietal character. Margaret River reds have wonderful colour, depth and balance. Look for some classics down the track. Its chardonnay is finer and more elegant, with good melon characters. Even the Swan Valley will produce some very good dry reds and traditional whites.
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