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1999 vintage report for Coonawarra (South Australia)

‘This will be an outstanding Coonawarra vintage,’ says a report prepared by Wendy Hollick, president of the Coonawarra Vignerons’ Association; Brendan Provis, president of the Coonawarra Grapegrowers’ Association; and Terry Inglis, Coonawarra Wine Industry Officer. Vintage started early for Coonawarra with sparkling bases being picked from 2 March. Yields were down 20% from 1998 and 15% on the average yield, but the compensation is outstanding fruit quality. The reasons for the decrease in yield were: a frost in late October, windy conditions during flowering, stress during fruitset, stress in January and February and below average rainfall over the ripening period.

The weather during vintage was clear and dry from March through to early May. The weather conditions reduced considerably the threat of disease in the growing, maturing and harvest periods. The below average temperatures early and late in the season, high January and February temperatures, below average rainfall in the ripening and vintage periods reduced the pressure from disease threat. In terms of effect of weather on the quality of the grapes the long cool ripening period provided excellent conditions for flavour and colour enhancement. ‘The 1999 reds are above average’ the report says. ‘They had intense colour and flavour on the vine and in the juice due to the small berry size, wonderful pH and acid balance. There is an expectation for slightly higher than average alcohol due to the marvellous ripening conditions experienced.’

The whites have shown excellent varietal definition with full flavour and great acid balance. The expectation is that the whites will provide average to above average quality wines. Doug Balnaves, president of the Limestone Coast Wine Industry Council, said the district was fortunate that the early rains that threatened did not develop into a major fall. ‘The balance between crop and canopy was the best for the last four years, with no disease evident,’ he said. The district recorded some exceptional Baume levels particularly in Cabernet with some characteristics of the very best of Cabernet from Coonawarra. ‘The wines show rich ripe tannins, with dense colour and flavour,’ Doug said. ‘Shiraz in particular benefited from the cool season with grapes picked showing rich colour and concentration with subtle tannin structures.’

Jim Brayne, chief winemaker at McWilliam’s Wines, said wines from this vintage would be fuller and richer thanks to a long ripening season, which had really developed the flavour. ‘I’m predicting this vintage to be one of the best ever for premium red wines and white wines in terms of quality,’ he said. ‘Early harvested Sauvignon Blanc shows excellent varietal definition, while riper components display typical abundant passionfruit and tropical characters which give promise to some of the best wines of this variety produced in Australia,’ said John Innes, senior winemaker at Rymill Winery.