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1999 vintage report for Margaret River (Western Australia)

This report was supplied by Simon Robertson of Devil’s Lair Vineyard.

Margaret River’s season started with a very wet September, bringing large rainfalls to the region typically not seen for 5-7 years. October became drier and November drier still, restoring some normality to seasonal conditions. With this drier weather, mild conditions were still being experienced, creating strong rapid growth in the stronger heavy sites. The mild conditions favoured the flowering stage, which on average over the region was slightly later than usual. With the mild conditions experienced in November and December, crops became 2-3 weeks behind at veraison. The summer was typically warm with little rain on average. The long hot spells and strong winds experienced in late January and early February saw unirrigated vineyards (on poor sandy or high percentaged gravel soils) stress very quickly and some irrigated vineyards were caught unawares due to poor irrigation management. These conditions brought the maturity of the vines into line with a typical harvest for the region, with the potential for a year to produce great Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but the possibility of whites being affected by the hot, dry spells.

Yields varied from site to site from northern cape regions down to the southern cape regions. Most red varieties averaged through the cape reaching 10-13 t/ha and most whites averaging around 8-10 t/ha. With this cropping level the characteristics of Margaret River will be sustained, but with yields over these targets crop quality will be hindered unless canopy management and trellis design can manipulate improvements. Some growers pushed the balance by yielding higher crops and have been caught out with lower quality or the inability to even mature the crop. On average, Margaret River yields competitively with other Australian regions.

No vigneron has commented on large outbreaks of fungal disease in the region with disease pressures high in November and December. The improvements in prevention, not eradication, is seemingly being adhered to. The marri blossoms were in full flower by February, which it seems has reduced the silvereye damage. With only a few reports of some silvereye damage in the region, it should not be taken lightly, as growers all know what this bird can achieve in a short period of time in a vineyard. As the new planting areas come on stream with more fruit, wineries will not accept damaged fruit as has happened in the past. Overall, Margaret River has produced good white fruit characters with traditional quality consistency. Some Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc fruit has suffered; however red varieties have obtained fantastic varietal flavours, but site differences will determine the eventual quality.

From the northern end of Margaret River, Murray Edmonds, senior viticulturist with Evans & Tate, reports that there is general agreement that ripening conditions in late March and for all of April were perfect for reds, which are of very high quality. Most Chardonnay in the northern sector was off before the rain. Murray says Sauvignon Blanc and Verdelho quality is good to excellent, with Semillon ‘just holding together.’ He said most wineries were full to capacity with hire tanks being common. ‘There is plenty of concern in the region about downy mildew, but as yet it does not seem to have reached Margaret River. All growers are putting on preventive sprays anyway,’ Murray said.