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1998 vintage report for Southwest Coastal (Western Australia)

The region produced a 30% increase in yield, due mainly to new plantings, good fruitset in most varieties and no frost problems. Marcus Ansems, chief winemaker/viticulturist at Baldivis Estate, said weather during vintage was warm and dry, with a couple of hot days early and late rains post harvest. Incidence of fungal disease was low. ‘This was one of the best vintages since 1995 for reds,’ Marcus said. ‘Colour, flavour and acid were almost perfect. The warm weather suited these varieties.’ He described the quality of whites as ‘very good,’ although some flavour was lost on the warmer days in early February. Birds were a small problem early in the season before the eucalypts flowered, and some wineries also had difficulty finding adequate storage with the increased volume of fruit.