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2001 vintage report for McLaren Vale (South Australia)

David Dean, general manager of the McLaren Vale Winemakers Inc. says that Shiraz produced in the region in 2001 appears to be ‘a stunner’. ‘While the hot weather brought forward vintage about two weeks, excellent growing conditions provided a very good vintage both for yield and quality. In some ways it was one of the quickest vintages but still operationally all went smoothly,’ David said. Yield increases were variable, but about 25% overall. Shiraz yields were up by 35% or more but this was against a very low 2000 vintage. Many smaller producers reported variations of 60-100%. The region had very high temperatures early in the year but then the weather settled down and had little impact except on some whites. Due to very good winter rains most vineyards had good canopies which may have reduced the impact of the very hot weather. Most growers reported their reds to be ‘very good to excellent’, with colour the best seen for some time and lots of fruit depth and fine tannins. Most also reported good quality whites, with some Chardonnay very good. Many had high alcohol with balanced flavour.