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2008 vintage report for Mount Benson (South Australia)

By Ralph Fowler
Ralph Fowler Wines
On behalf of the Mount Benson Vignerons’ Association Inc.

The 2008 vintage in the Mount Benson wine region has brought smiles to everyone’s faces. All the fruit from the region sold and yields were slightly above average. The hot, dry conditions were a blessing, not a curse, and the winemakers are excited about the wine quality. The wines are our best ever with great, ripe fruit flavours and acid retention.

The harvest started in February this year, the earliest date reported in the district. A lot of vineyards finished harvest before harvesting had even started in previous years. Some fruit was delayed because of processing bottlenecks in wineries outside the district. However, no over-ripe Baumés were experienced and the fruit held on well.

There has been an increased interest in fruit from the region, particularly the white grape varieties and all growers cleared all the varieties. Yields were slightly above average for all varieties except Cabernet Sauvignon where the tonnage was light. Small pockets of frost damage were reported early in the season. The fruit was lost on the white varieties in these areas. However, the red varieties set a big second crop which was harvested.

The rainfall for the season was well below average. However, the distribution was good and the vineyards went into summer in good health. The early heat slowed the vines and caused only minor stress which did not affect yield. The extreme heat of February was tempered by the cool ocean breezes and none of the negative effects reported elsewhere were noted.

Wines from this vintage are outstanding, the best vintage in the district’s short 20-year history. The whites are exceptional with acidity, perfumed ripe fruit, depth of flavour and complexity. The reds have great colour, soft ripe tannin and are highly aromatic.