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1998 vintage report for Clare Valley (South Australia)

Winter brought the driest July in Clare since 1982, with only 32 mm of rain. August and September were an improvement, producing some badly needed run-off and bringing soil moistures and dams back to normal levels. As in other parts of South Australia, October was dry until the very end, when 111 mm fell, taking the year’s falls above the long-term mean. Southcorp’s vineyard manager John Matz was pleased with the start. ‘A very good year for growing conditions — some of the best early season growth I’ve seen,’ he said. Unlike most of South Australia, Clare received rain when it was required throughout the summer, January being the only dry month, and the harvest took place in ideal, mild March weather. Nick Bulleid of Southcorp said: ‘The Rieslings are big and full-flavoured, lacking delicacy perhaps, but with lime and apple fruit making them great for shorter term drinking. Semillon is also a success, but the Chardonnay was quite disappointing. Amongst the reds, Shiraz is the highlight.’ Mark Barry, winemaker at Jim Barry Wines, said young vines had produced high quality fruit for reds, with big rich colours and ‘heaps of natural tannin.’ He said Riesling fared very well early but with warmer weather later on some fruit was burned and the quality was not as good.