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2013 vintage report for McLaren Vale (South Australia)

Like the major NSW wine regions, McLaren Vale also had an early start to the 2013 vintage, which finished by the end of March.

Chardonnay was harvested from the middle of February, with Shiraz beginning at the end of February. By the first week of March, a large percentage of the district had already been harvested.

James Hook of McLaren Vale Crop Watch said weather conditions were ideal throughout the season.

“As well as being dry, there was effectively no rainfall for three months from December,” he said.

“Disease levels were the lowest for many years and fruit was very clean.”

Harvested yields were down 10-30% from what was expected and demand for McLaren Vale fruit was high, particularly for Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Grenache and Mourvèdre all of which were looking promising in terms of colour and flavour.

Hook said the season was not without its challenges.

“The rapid and early harvest tested many winemakers’ experience in juggling which vineyards to pick immediately and which grapes to keep on the vine to improve,” he said.

“When picked just right, the results will rank highly compared against previous vintages that have earned McLaren Vale its reputation.”