The members of the recently formed Australia’s First Families of Wine are from many different parts of the country but they all agree that vintage 2010 could be the best in recent years.
Including twelve of the most celebrated family names in Australian wine the member of the group have put together an invaluable snapshot of the Australian 2010 vintage from each of their perspectives.
In the Hunter Region there has been the benefit of an early harvest season avoiding the challenging weather of February, said Scott McWilliam of McWilliams and Bruce Tyrell of Tyrell’s.
“Vintage 2010, with its dry start to the season and excellent growing conditions, is reminiscent of the 2003 and 2005 vintages in the Hunter Valley which produced some very exciting and notable wines,” McWilliam said.
“Semillons will be bigger and a little higher in alcohol than usual but most of the chardonnay will be between 12 per cent with great fruit and freshness,” said Tyrrell.
In South Australia the Adelaide Hills experience “trying weather conditions” this vintage but the outlook is still positive. “This was one of the wettest seasons for many years, said Stephen Henschke from Henschke Wines.
“Powdery mildew is more prevalent due to the very humid conditions experienced in the Hills this summer, a good test for the organic/biodynamic strategy.”
Meanwhile in the Barossa and Eden Valley the vintage period has started off exceptionally well with high quality Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernets are expected. However, yields of Chardonnay and Grenache are down.
“Unique to this season has been the evenness of ripening on premium reds which is typically indicative of a high quality year,” said Robert Hill Smith, from Yalumba.
In the Clare Valley a good winter, spring and early summer rainfall has resulted favourably for the region with great expectations for the 2010 vintage. Winemakers there say buyers should keep an eye out for some great whites including Gewurztraminer and Semillon.
“A cool vintage is predicted so we are excited that quality should be in the good to great spectrum for the Clare Valley……another ripper, “ said Mitchell Taylor of Taylors.
Peter Barry of Jim Barry Wines said he was expecting a top vintage. “It is still just a prediction, but with our 50 years of history, pre-vintage rain and with the vines looking healthy, there is a good chance it will be a top vintage with average yields,” he said.
In McLaren Vale some outstanding reds are expected. “While most crops have been looking good so far, unfortunately Grenache is looking well below average due to a heat wave during the flowering period, said Chester Osborn at d’Arenberg.
“Fingers crossed but 2010 vintage is looking terrific,” he said. “All the crops appear balanced. It is the reds that are hugely exciting. The skins are very thick and very dark with quite a lot of tannin.”
In Victoria’s King Valley, the Mediterranean varieties of Pinot Gris and Sangiovese are looking “outstanding” thanks to good rainfall in the spring followed warm weather.
“2010 vintage in Victoria is promising Goldilocks crops—not too heavy so that the quality suffers and the tanks overflow, but not so light that they ripen too quickly and we run short,” said Ross Brown of Brown Brothers. “All reports are that the crops are just right.”
At Nagambie Lakes fruit quality is looking great and harvest is on track to begin in early March.
“After significant fruit losses in 2007 and 2009 we are looking forward to a trouble free 2010 vintage,” said Alister Purbrick of Tahbilk.
And 2010 is looking to be an “excellent vintage” in Rutherglen across all varieties and in particular for reds and fortifieds. “The fortifieds are showing great potential this year to be something really special,” said Colin Campbell of Campbell’s Wines. “This is really exciting as it looks like it could be a year to put away some base material for higher classifications Grand and Rare if everything goes well … which pardon the pun would be both grand and rare.”
In the Yarra Valley 2010 is looking promising with a far better vintage expected than the horrendous heat and bushfires experienced in 2009. Some of the Yarra Valley’s best Chardonnay from 2010 is expected.
“After two dry years at last we have had some decent spring rain followed by regular rainfall during the growing season,” said Leanne DeBortoli of DeBortoli.
In WA Margaret River has had “perfect” growing conditions that point to an excellent 2010 vintage. Yields are average across all varieties with the exception of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay down 5-10%.
“Reds are looking great particularly our Cabernets. After a string of strong vintages looks like we have been blessed again,” said Jeff Burch of Howard Park.
Australia’s First Families of Wine are twelve of the most celebrated family names in Australian wine. wning more than 5,500 hectares of Australia’s finest vineyards and with over 1,200 years of winemaking experience under their belts as a collective, these custodians of the land are in a good place to provide a snapshot of the Australian 2010 vintage.
The inaugural members of the AFFW are Brown Brothers (Victoria), Campbells (Victoria), d’Arenberg (South Australia), De Bortoli (NSW), Henschke (South Australia), Howard Park (Western Australia), Jim Barry (South Australia), McWilliam’s (NSW), Tahbilk (Victoria) Taylors (South Australia) Tyrrell’s (NSW) and Yalumba (South Australia)As 12 of the nation’s most famous names in wine, the AFFW is working to engage consumers, retailers, restaurateurs and industry members across the globe about the real character and characters of Australian wine.