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2011 vintage report for Strathbogie Ranges (Victoria)

Supplied by Sam Plunkett, chief winemaker, Plunkett Fowles
Growing season: We were delighted to see dams fill over winter. Spring rainfall was well above average with the October, November and December falls all around double the long-term average. The growing season stayed wet with January the wettest on record (records started in Avenel in 1900) with almost four times the long-term average; February was about double the long-term average. There was some respite with close-to-average rainfall in March and April and something of an Indian summer with fine weather late in April and early May, though too late for good leaf function in most vineyards. The lack of heat and sunshine, combined with above average rainfall up to and during harvest, made for a challenging season. There is a ‘shift to the left’ in balance across all varieties, with lower alcohol and higher acid than normal.
Vintage: Vintage commenced around three weeks later than typical start dates of the last decade, and ran through until early May when the last of the reds were harvested. It is worth noting that this timing was common in the last quarter of the 20th century.
Yields and quality: Riesling is outstanding – highly aromatic, minerally with very fresh acid; wines that will live for decades. Some intensely flavoured Chardonnay (approaching Sauvignon Blanc for aroma profile and intensity) has been produced, though some is hard with high acid. Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and other whites are more variable than normal – some good wines, some lacking weight and too ‘fresh’ with acid. It has been a below average year for reds, with a move to medium weight styles. Cabernet was the most robust in the mouldy conditions and will have good varietal definition. Shiraz was the weakest of the reds – multiple passes to drop fruit and strip leaves failed in many cases to give anything above ‘ordinary’ colour density and ripe flavour. That said, there are some Shiraz wines in this marginal year that will be outstanding. There will be some interesting Pinot, again a shift in style with paler colour than normal, and more of the herbal and stem flavours and less of the ripe cherry liquor and plum character of Strathbogie Pinot of recent years. In general, vintage 2011 has seen a shift in style and balance with higher acids and lower alcohol than recent years. Good whites have been produced, especially Riesling, with Chardonnay second. Reds are variable, with less weight, colour and ripe flavours than the region is famous for, but there will be some good Pinot and Cabernet, with a small number of outstanding Shiraz wines.