Filter reports by year

• 2015
• 2014
• 2013
• 2012
• 2011
• 2010
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001
• 2000
• 1999
• 1998
• 1997
• 1996

1998 vintage report for Barossa Valley (South Australia)

‘The 1998 vintage in the Barossa should rank alongside 1996 and 1990 as one of the best vintages of the decade,’ according to Geoff Schrapel, chairman of Barossa Winemakers’ Committee. ‘Although yields overall were slightly down, the quality and long term cellaring potential of these wines will be exceptional.’A drier than normal 1997 winter in the region caused some concern ‘The 1998 vintage in the Barossa should rank alongside 1996 and 1990 as one of the best vintages of the decade,’ according to Geoff Schrapel, chairman of the BarossaWinemakers’ Committee. ‘Although yields overall were slightly down, the quality and long-term cellaring potential of these wines will be exceptional.’ A drier than normal 1997 winter in the region caused some concern about fruitset for 1998. However these fears were largely unfounded. Good rains in late spring (October and November) provided excellent moisture reserves for fruit development over summer. The summer growing season was warm to hot with no unseasonal humidity or rainfall to cause disease. In fact, 1998 will be remembered as having one of the lowest incidences of downy mildew, powdery mildew or botrytis, contributing to very high quality deliveries of fruit. Geoff said vintage started slightly earlier than normal, with a week of 40 °C temperatures in late February. This caused rapid and in some cases unusual ripening patterns with some red varieties reaching the required Baume before whites. This put pressure on winery crushing and fermentation facilities for the first two weeks of March. Apart from that hot week, however, the vintage was mild with daily temperatures between 20 °C and 25 °C and cool evenings contributing to slow steady ripening of fruit. ‘This has resulted in average yields of exceptionally deep coloured red grapes, particularly Shiraz, Cabernet and Grenache, producing wines with concentrated peppery, ripe fruit characters, outstanding acid-pH balance, slightly higher alcohol levels and very good tannin structure,’ Geoff said. ‘It is considered an outstanding year for Barossa Cabernet and an excellent year for Barossa Shiraz and is best compared with the exceptional 1996 vintage in terms of quality, with slightly lower yields.’ Barossa Valley white wines will be richer and bolder in flavour than those of 1997, especially the Semillons which will have extra weight on the mid-palate as a result of the slightly higher alcohols — again a result of the warm days and cool nights of the extended ripening season. Rieslings will be richer while Valley floor Chardonnays are generally showing more subtle varietal definition than in other years.