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2002 vintage report for Langhorne Creek (South Australia)

The growing season was very mild and it was one of the coolest summers on record. Only a few days pushed the mercury above 35°C. The cool season, with little rain, meant disease was restricted to the odd spot of powdery mildew. This was of little concern and easily controlled. Ideal weather throughout March and April (warm, sunny and dry) provided slow, even ripening of the fruit throughout vintage and a relatively smooth intake of grapes at optimum maturity. The cool summer resulted in a late start to vintage, and slightly below average yields for both red and white varieties, but the quality of the fruit was extremely pleasing.
Cabernet Sauvignon in particular has produced some outstanding fruit showing fantastic varietal character, plenty of colour and superb flavours of mint, blackberry and cassis. The Shiraz looks excellent with wonderful ripe fruit characters of intense spice and plum. Malbec wines are showing signs of being the best for many years with inky colours and terrific depth of spice, raspberry and plum flavours. The reds are showing tannins that indicate the resulting wines will have great structure and a long cellar life.
Regional whites also faired well from the mild weather, having excellent acid balance and attractive flavours and aroma. Verdelho and Chardonnay are producing vibrant fresh characters of citrus and fruit salad.