Vintage Reports

Filter reports by year

View Vintage Report overviews for: 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996

2001 vintage report for Margaret River (Western Australia)

Weather conditions for the 2001 vintage featured the driest growing season on record; this however, led to good, even budburst and flowering and vintage commenced about a week earlier than normal. Sue Jackman, chief executive officer of the Margaret River Wine Industry Association, reports that the region had a near perfect ripening season with generally mild temperatures during February leading to great flavour retention. This was followed by drought-like summer/autumn conditions with moderate to hot days during March and early April. Varieties in the southern parts of the region enjoyed an extended ripening, while for some growers in the mid and northern parts vintage was fast and furious, finishing early at the beginning of April. Yields were generally reported to be good to above average. Some growers experienced slight losses due to bird damage later in the ripening period due to the lack of marri (red gum) blossom in the area, but heavy investment in additional netting saved many growers significant losses. There were scattered reports of low levels of powdery mildew and some rots, but overall reports were of good to excellent fruit quality. A variation in the quality of white grapes was apparent across varieties, with reports from good to pockets of excellent fruit quality. Flavour intensities again varied between white varieties, but were generally good to intense with good length and elegance, particularly in Chardonnay. Reports of reds throughout the region have been of consistent, outstanding quality, comparable to or exceeding the 1999 vintage, and showing great regional expression. With generally small berries, yields may have been down in some cases, but the compensation was powerful wines with good concentration of colour, flavour and ripe tannins.