Vintage Conditions at Coldstream Hills
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2008
The growing season began well, as winter rainfall had provided some moisture to the soil and the risk of frost had been reduced. However, well below average spring rainfall caused considerable concern, with irrigation dams being at record low levels. Fortunately, late spring and early summer rains fell just at the right time, particularly as fruit set and crops were above average. A cool February allowed even ripening with good acid retention, however a blistering heatwave in March made conditions extremely difficult. A vintage with two distinctive halves, 2008 will be remembered as being compressed, hot and very challenging.
2007
Although not escaping all of the horrors of the 2007 vintage, Coldstream Hills came out of it relatively unscathed. Despite some frost damage to a few Chardonnay blocks, all other varieties remained largely unaffected. This, no doubt, has emphasized the importance of vineyard site selection, with the majority of our blocks fortunately planted on relatively steep slopes. Our main concern for vintage was whether we would have enough water to get us through the growing season. Fortunately, the early harvest date reduced irrigation requirements and we escaped with just enough. An interesting point to note for this vintage was that despite the maximum temperatures during the ripening season being hotter than average, the minimum temperatures were actually below average. The large diurnal variation between night and day can be explained by the dry conditions, and on that basis, the mean daily temperature during the ripening period was strangely cooler than average. Yields were average to below average in most varieties, which was probably fortunate, given the general shortage of water. As expected in a warm, dry year, flavour development occurred at lower sugar levels, and not unlike the 2006 harvest, the commencement date was very early. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay generally prefer milder conditions, so the cool nights and early harvest date allowed good natural acidity levels to remain. These wines have attractive varietal characters, with good depth and structure. There are some solid parcels of Merlot and Cabernet, which have a hard act to follow after the 2006 vintage. Sauvignon blanc was harvested earlier this year and at generally lower sugar levels. Flavours are delicate with attractive passionfruit and lychee.
2006
A combination of relatively low yields, a warm summer and adequate spring rainfall lead to the earliest vintage on record, with intake over by Easter. Despite the unusual conditions, the early indications were promising for most varieties. Natural acidities held up well, particularly in Chardonnay, with good varietal characters evident. Pinot Noir would not normally do as well in the warmer years, yet 2006 may be similar in some respects to the 2000 vintage, with attractive cherry and plum flavours dominating. The later maturing varieties of Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet performed well in the warm conditions, with some outstanding parcels of each produced.
2005
The Yarra Valley experienced challenging conditions from budburst through to the end of February. High rainfall, combined with humid weather conditions, lead to the incidence of leaf botrytis, downy mildew, powdery mildew, mealy bug, as well as numerous flights of light brown apple moth. Fruit set was generally good, despite the difficult conditions and presented initial forecasts of average yields. Despite a downpour of 90mm in early February, near perfect weather conditions ensued with warm, dry days and generally cool nights. As anticipated, natural acidity levels were high, with very few additions for whites. The cool conditions required patience in determining the harvest date of reds, as sugar ripeness was often up to a week ahead of flavour development. The region experienced warmest April since records began, which helped the later maturing varieties achieve both sugar and flavour ripeness.
2004
The 3 months of summer, and the first two months of autumn, saw an endless procession of sunny days with the maximum temperatures typically in the mid-20s, blue skies and little wind. There were a few hot days in January but far less than usual. Throughout the most critical months of March and April, 7 day weather forecasts routinely promised one or two rainy days. Equally routinely, they never occurred, either slipping south or petering out before they reached us.
2003
While rainfall was well below normal, the overall growing and ripening conditions were favourable, avoiding the extremes of the past 5 vintages. Yields were slightly below normal, but much greater than those of 2002, and all varieties developed excellent flavour early in the ripening cycle. Hopes are high for top quality wines from the 2003 vintage.
2002
A wet and cool growing season followed by a late summer ensured that the grapes achieved optimum maturity at harvest, albeit with reduced yields when compared with 2001. In addition, the long ripening period and cool nights during Autumn resulted in intense flavour development and naturally high acidity, a hallmark for wines of aging potential.
2001
The all time heat records set by 2000 were easily exceeded by 2001, the relentless heat from December to early March. This caused structural damage to the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which fell prey to Botrytis when some rain fell in March with much reduced make in consequence. However, once again he late ripening Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon came through with flying colours.
2000
The vintage time rain of 1999 was followed up by good August rainfall, replenishing dry dams and giving good soil moisture leading into record year from February to late April. These conditions were ideal for Merlot, Cabernet and Shiraz; the surprise was the quality of the white wines and, even more, the Pinot Noir.
1999
An “annus horribilis” exceeding 1989. Hail in October and incessant rain in March wreaked havoc. No Reserve red wines were made, the one bright spot being the ever resilient Chardonnay, which with stringent fruit selection, has proved to be very good.
1998
The record breaking 1997 drought continued throughout the 1998 growing season and vintage but, after two low yielding years, the crop was back to normal. Disease free grapes with near perfect chemical composition peaked with wonderful Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon, the latter the best since 1992.
1997
A cool and wet spring was followed by a very warm and exceptionally dry summer, the reverse of 1996. Below average bunch numbers and small berries led to very low yields. A top red wine vintage for all varieties, especially Pinot Noir.
1996
The vintage opened with the coolest December since records began 140 years ago and was followed by one of the wettest and coldest autumns on record. The early ripening varieties (Chardonnay & Pinot Noir) fared best, each producing trophy winning wines, while the Cabernet was a complete failure.
1995
A schizophrenic year marked by a very warm, dry spring and summer, which led to the earliest start on record (March 3 for Pinot Noir), finishing with a cool, wet autumn and the latest finish ever (May 12 for Cabernet). Ordinary wines were the result.
1994
Another late vintage following a dry but abnormally cool summer, with yields reduced by up to 50% primarily due to small berries and bunches. A three week spell of warm sunny weather in March resulted in complex Pinot Noir, good Chardonnay and good Cabernet Sauvignon.
1993
An exceptionally late vintage marked by an extremely wet and cool spring and summer, which led to concerns about eventual ripening. A dry and warm March and April totally reversed the trend with reduced yields of very ripe grapes which retained high natural acidity, overall, best for Chardonnay, the reds charming but light.
1992
One of the coolest but sunniest growing seasons ever recorded produced grapes of exceptional quality and chemical composition – high sugar levels, high acidity and low pH. Quite simply, a great vintage for all varieties – the best between 1985 and 2001.
1991
A relatively warm and very drum summer followed good winter/spring rains and led to an early vintage commencing at the beginning of March. Yields were down sharply compared to 1990, but the grapes were in perfect condition. All the reds were extraordinary colour, none more so than the Pinot Noir, for which 1991 proved a year to remember.
1990
It is hard to imagine a more perfect growing season. Record winter rains were followed by calm, warm weather during flowering; coupled with ideal weather in January & February, the vines carried large crops. A long spell of dry, warm weather from the start of March to late April allowed the grapes to reach unprecedented sugar levels, vintage starting on March 15 and finishing on May 1. In retrospect, the yields were too high, and the wines have not lasted.
1989
This was the year that every Vigneron dreads, with a succession of blows from nature. Winter and spring were dry and windy; the rains came during flowering, followed by a heatwave at the end of February; the weather than turned cool again until the conclusion of the harvest in early May, the grapes failing to achieve the desired sugar levels.
1988
A complete reversal in growing season conditions after the usual wet spring. January was very hot and although February was cooler, the weather warmed up again and continued warm through an early vintage. Very full flavoured wines resulted, all of which have stood the test of time, none more so than the 1988 Chardonnay.
1987
A third successive cool and dry growing season after an exuberant start, thanks to abundant winter/spring rain. The grapes were in perfect condition, with moderate to good sugar levels. The Pinot Noir did much to establish Coldstream Hills’ reputation for the variety.
1986
Another very cool, dry summer. Between January and April there was virtually no rain. Conditions remained cool and the vintage was one of the latest on record. The varietal flavour was excellent across all varieties; the wines are still holding up.
1985
A very cool, dry summer followed by a typically wet spring, with substantial rain throughout December. Vintage commenced slightly later than normal in mid March. Overall good fruit character and composition, the reds outstanding in both colour and body.