Vintage conditions

Excellent winter rainfall ensured the soil was fully saturated at the beginning of the growing season. Spring was cooler and wetter than recent years, resulting in a two-week delay to budburst and flowering. May rainfall was especially helpful in maintaining the soil moisture profile. Warm summer weather had the vines moving along well making up for the slow start to the season. August was characterised by warm days and cool nights, optimal conditions for veraison. Harvest across the region was one to two weeks later than usual with yields close to long-term average. A good vintage for cabernet sauvignon, with grapes showing bright acidity, powdery tannins, and strong varietal flavours.

Above-average winter and spring rainfall offered the vines in South Australia healthy soil moisture profiles for the growing season. Cool conditions slowed vine growth in early spring with temperatures gradually warming in October. The late budburst, flowering and subsequent veraison delayed the commencement of harvest. There was plentiful rain during the growing season and no prolonged heatwaves recorded during the summer months, with only a few days reaching 40ºC. Weather conditions during the final stages of ripening were dry with March rainfall below the long-term average. April was mild, allowing for an orderly completion of harvest. The prevailing autumnal conditions favoured fully ripened grapes with well-developed colours and flavours.