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1997 vintage report for Barossa Valley (South Australia)

Crops in the Barossa Valley were generally below average in yields, but quality has made up for this, said Geoff Schrapel, chairman of the Barossa Winemaking Committee of the Barossa Wine and Tourism Association.He said the region’s flagship, Shiraz, was ‘exceptional,’ with rich, ripe fruit characters and fine tannins. ‘The increasingly popular varietals Grenache and Mataro also produced very good crops, which will translate into moderate to high alcohol wines with ripe fruit characters,’ Geoff said.He said Barossa Valley Riesling was below average due to sunburn early in the season. ‘However, the region’s Semillon and Chardonnay will be excellent due to the extended ripening season and fruit concentration.’ The 1996/97 grapegrowing season in the Barossa started with cool, moderate conditions in spring, which led to uneven fruit set, particularly in the key varieties of Shiraz, Cabernet and Riesling. This reduced the potential fruit yield which was compounded by below average temperatures during early summer, causing some ‘hen and chicken’ bunch formation. Rising temperatures in mid-summer encouraged good vegetative growth with excellent leaf coverage and minimal vine stress. This not only benefited the crop in terms of nutrition, but offered protection against the burst of intense heat experienced during February. Although most vineyards escaped sunburnt fruit (other than some early maturing Riesling), the vines effectively shut down for two weeks in early March, delaying vintage. Fortunately, this unusual vintage weather was followed by an extended period of dry, warm ‘Indian summer’ conditions which encouraged gradual maturation and the development of flavour and sugar levels, without the threat of disease or rain. Geoff said overall the decision to delay picking of red grapes and most white gapes was rewarded with excellent fruit concentration and flavour, which exceeded most grower and winemaker expectations. Yields from established vineyards are estimated to be down by an average of 8% but this will be compensated in part by the first crops from new vine plantings.