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1998 vintage report for Eden Valley (South Australia)

Along with the Barossa Valley, the Eden Valley experienced a drier than normal winter, but good rains in late spring meant good fruit development over summer. The cooler climate has aided the ripening of white grapes and it is expected that 1998 Eden Valley Riesling will be more elegant and finer in style than the 1997, showing true varietal definition of citrus and lime and having great ageing potential. Eden Valley Chardonnay is also closed and will age well. Barossa Winemakers’ Committee chairman Geoff Schrapel said that Eden Valley red wines, Shiraz and Cabernet in particular, will be outstanding, having benefited from the extended ripening in mild conditions. ‘Although in some cases reaching the anticipated Baume was difficult due to the cool autumn, the resultant wines are showing exceptional colour and flavour, great varietal definition and excellent acid/pH balance with good acidity, ensuring excellent cellaring potential.’ He said that unseasonal rain at Easter and two weeks afterwards promoted botrytis development, with the first proper noble rot infection since the wet 1992 harvest.