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2011 vintage report for Margaret River (Western Australia)

Supplied by Nick Power, chief executive, Margaret River Wine Industry Associatio.
Growing season: The 2011 vintage weather period was initially cool and dry through late winter and early spring, progressing to a warm and dry summer pattern with rainfall recorded mid-November and minor rain events in early December. Overall, this vintage was warmer and drier than average with vine phenology measurements throughout the growing season indicating that average budburst dates occurred but flowering and veraison dates were progressively earlier for most varieties throughout the region. Total disease pressure was light, with most issues related to isolated cases of weevil damage, some at a large level. There were also some instances where vineyards in southern areas of the region were affected by mealy bug, and the associated black sooty mould. Powdery mildew, botrytis and downy mildew had little effect due to the warm and dry weather and bird pressure was low because of significant Marri blossom that was not impacted by rainfall.
Vintage: Vineyards in the northern portion of Margaret River were, on average, harvested about two weeks earlier than 2010. Red varieties were influenced by the warm temperatures and the dry weather and harvest was generally earlier by some two to three weeks. Harvest was completed by the third week of March, which is some four weeks earlier than normal. Given the early nature of vintage, picking was largely a smooth affair. The varieties remained reasonably staggered which, therefore, allowed for good flow into the wineries. Pleasingly, flavour ripeness was achieved, even in the face of fast phenological ripening. Increasingly, there was a trend of less/minimal harvesting and processing at weekends and, as such, there is a definite trend to minimise labour costs over the periods that see overtime applied – something that was very different to the immediate past.
Yields and quality: Yields from harvested fruit were noticeably up on the last couple of years, especially whites and early-season reds. There is a clear trend of growers and producers managing yields much closer to contracted and or required levels. Wines in tank look very promising. Whites with early harvest dates and lower Baumes at picking appear physiologically ripe and promise lower alcohol and higher natural acidity; they look very, very good. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon have been solid performers with fresh and vibrant characters. Chardonnays finishing solidly and exhibiting relatively fast flavour accumulation have yielded sound varietal characters across the region and should be a standout in 2011. Reds, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, has been particularly impressive in recent barrel and tank tastings. It is interesting to note the viscosity and mouthfeel from some of the more special blocks harvested earlier with minimal supplementary irrigation and appropriate nutrition management, which have also shown intense colour, with concentrated flavours and aromas. The Margaret River 2011 vintage looks like being an exact repeat of 2007; it will be an extremely strong year in both reds and whites with consistent seasonal conditions again the region’s strength.