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2002 vintage report for Mount Benson (South Australia)

Plantings in Mount Benson now exceed 500 ha and more than 2,000 tonnes were processed by local wineries this vintage.
The vintage produced outstanding quality wines. The Baume and natural acidity of the grapes was extraordinary and fruit was harvested at sugar and acid balances that have not previously been seen in the region.
The region recorded the driest growing season for many years. Harvest conditions were ideal with a warm, dry autumn which followed a dry cool summer.
The whites are of high quality and the wines show pronounced varietal characters, good balance and flavour. Sauvignon Blanc has again produced good crops and distinctive fruit-driven wines. Chardonnay and Semillon and the new Viognier plantings have all made definitive varietal wines.
The quantity of red grapes harvested was well down on previous average yields. The quality of the Shiraz has been the highlight. Shiraz ripened well with light crops on healthy vines and were generally picked early in April. The colour and intensity of the wines produced reflects the high colour index, high Baume and high acidity of the grapes while the wines display good perfume, berry fruits and a fine tannin structure. Cabernet and Merlot crops were slow to develop ripe fruit character and varietal definition and many crops were left until May before harvesting.