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1998 vintage report for Margaret River (Western Australia)

The region had unseasonal rain, mould and bird problems during 1998 but Simon Robertson, vineyard manager at Devils Lair, still expects most wineries to have good results with both red and white varieties.’Some red varieties are possibly over-cropped, but most wineries have been able to obtain good flavours and strong varietal characteristics from their reds. Whites should also show Margaret River’s characteristic strong flavours and substantial length.’The vintage was slightly earlier by around 1-2 weeks. Birds were a major problem with some vineyards losing 60-80% of their un-netted crop. Simon said a better understanding of the problem was growing in the region, through education. Good soil moisture in previous year led to an increase of about 10% in fruitfulness in all varieties, Simon said. ‘Leaf wetness caused small outbreaks of botrytis and a slowing of ripening later in the season, but it was not a significant effect.’ Quoted in the Margaret River Wine Industry Association Wine News, Peter Stanlake of Hay Shed Hill said the question of when to pick became the main quandary. ‘That second downpour in March was what had everyone worried and guessing, particularly where the reds and later whites were concerned,’ he said. Chateau Xanadu’s Conor Lagan agreed. ‘It was a bit of a gamble where the reds were concerned,’ he said. ‘I think some people may have brought theirs in a little early. We waited it out and we were very pleased with our Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, so it was worth it.’ Fortunately a week of warm weather and sunshine assisted in bringing red grapes back to good levels. Vanya Cullen was another who allowed the early April sunshine to do its restorative work after the unseasonal rains, and reported good Baume levels in the Cabernet Sauvignon.