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1997 vintage report for Southwest Coastal (Western Australia)

The region enjoyed ‘an exciting vintage,’ according to Jane Gilham, winemaker/viticulturist at Baldivis Estate. She said cool and dry weather during vintage produced sound fruit with excellent fruit characteristics.Vintage started in mid-February, normal for the region, and yields were average. Jane said the red wines were showing excellent colour, ripe, well-developed, intense varietal characteristics and ripe, soft tannins. Wines should be well-structured and long-living. The 1997 whites were also excellent, with good colour flavour development, low pH and natural acid. ‘A long warm, dry summer followed good winter and early spring rains,’ Jane said. ‘Reliable afternoon sea breezes modified daytime extremes, maintaining natural acids. The vintage period was cool and dry and fruit was harvested in opltimum conditions.’