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2010 vintage report for Wrattonbully (South Australia)

Supplied by the Wrattonbully Wine Industries Association
Growing season: The season began with full soil profiles due to above-average rainfall during late winter and early spring. July through to September experienced almost 100mm above the average rainfall for this period (230mm), a situation we have not seen in recent years. Rain fell regularly throughout the growing season, providing a much needed boost to canopy growth, resulting in good vine balance and a strong framework to carry the fruit through to harvest. Flowering and fruitset through November was brought on rapidly by the small heatwave during that month. This led to a very even and consistent set across all varieties, with only Cabernet Sauvignon experiencing reduced fruitset in some areas.
Vintage: Cool nights through January, February and March with warmer days that lacked the heat spikes experienced in previous seasons, led to a consistent ripening period. This resulted in an early harvest for the whites with good acid levels, and a longer slow ripening of the reds leading to great colour and flavour development. Rain falling late into harvest resulted in some incidence of botrytis in the region not really seen since the larger yields of 2004. Favourable harvest conditions up until early April, together with well-managed crop levels, had most of the fruit harvested prior to Easter. Between 30-40mm of rain fell on the Tuesday after Easter which brought a fairly abrupt end to the 2010 harvest.
Yields and quality: Overall, tonnages were average to slightly above with fruit quality looking strong across all varieties. Quality on varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Chardonnay was, once again, very strong this year. Interestingly, it may be the strength of the more marginal varieties that help define the quality of this vintage, as there doesn’t appear to have been a weak link. Semillon, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc were all picked early this year with great complexity of flavour. Merlot produced strong flavours, good tannin structure and deep colour at lower Baumés this year. Tempranillo continues to impress.