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1998 vintage report for Langhorne Creek (South Australia)

Exceptional, rich, full flavoured reds, with great colour and tannin on both Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, were a feature of the Langhorne Creek vintage, according to Greg Follett, secretary of the region’s Winemakers’ Association. ‘There was excellent fruit from both young and older vineyards,’ he said. In the whites, Chardonnay and Verdelho are both showing great fruit character and good persistence of flavour, he said. Vintage began in early March, early for the area, and yields were up by 10-30% for Shiraz and Chardonnay. The Cabernet Sauvignon yield was average, because of some poor fruitset. March was warm to hot, followed by a cool April. Some mid-April rain delayed the harvest in younger vineyards. Greg said the weather allowed all varieties to reach optimum Baume levels with ease, and acids were good. There were no disease problems. Greg said the vintage was very condensed, with Cabernet Sauvignon ripening early and at a similar time to Shiraz and Chardonnay. ‘Langhorne Creek is expanding so rapidly that it is in great need of more processing facilities in the area to help alleviate pressure from the hundreds of semi loads of grapes heading to the Barossa and McLaren Vale,’ he said.