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1997 vintage report for Macedon Ranges (Victoria)

The vintage in Macedon was described as ‘probably the best in 10 years, rivalling 1992′ by Gordon Cope-Williams, president of the Macedon Vignerons’ Association. He said wines showed wonderful complexity and potential for great longevity. Vintage in the area started on 31 March, which was normal. Yields were down by about 30%, due to low fruitfulness from the cold 1996 vintage. Small bunches resulted in higher than normal sugars. The excessive lowland temperatures were not transferred to the high altitude region. Weather during vintage was fine and mild, which considerably reduced the incidence of disease. Mr Cope-Williams described the 1997 whites as having full flavour development and softer than usual Macedon acid levels. ‘Base wines are what Macedon is famous for,’ he said. ‘The Chardonnay is intensely flavoured but acid levels are well maintained, giving very long-living base wines. Low yields (small berries) of Pinot Noir produced rather more colour than desirable but flavour is magnificent. This is very possibly a vintage year for Macedon sparklings.’