Vintage 2018 is remarkable not just for the “compactness” of ripening across different varieties and sites, but also the amazing quality of the grapes and the stunning performance of the vines.

Picking started quite early at the beginning of February, and except for one day on which we couldn’t pick because of showery weather, we hand – picked continually until late April, when we concluded vintage with our Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Yes, there is a tendency for vignerons to talk up just about every vintage! But quite seriously, this vintage reminds me of the fabulous 2005 vintage – which, until this vintage, I regard as the best I have ever experienced in Tasmania.

Fruit quality was sensational – clean, full flavoured and despite the long warm weather, it did retain its Tasmanian attribute of refreshing, balanced acids,  avoiding the “dullness” that can occur through excessive heat. We had no problems with disease or insect damage, and strangely even the birds were fairly quiet. Silver (White) Eyes seemed to stay further south and clear of the vineyards and we hardly saw any flocks of starlings. The vines handled the higher fruit loads with ease, which I attribute to the generally dry winter and spring enabling the survival of the deeper roots ready for the summer.

So all in all, a most rewarding – even enjoyable (!) vintage 2018. We shall keep you posted on the progress of the wines.….

Cheers, Fred

This has to be one of the most consistently warm vintages I have ever seen! Our grapes have ripened about 2 to 3 weeks earlier than ever before, and an even greater surprise is that the later varieties such as Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are much closer behind Pinot then I can ever remember. Flavour development has come quite early this season and acids are still looking bright and fresh, so the general “quality balance” of the grapes across all varieties looks amazingly good. We have also been very fortunate in that mildew and Botrytis have been very subdued this year, so our grapes are remarkably clean and pristine.  We are almost finished – just one block of Riesling to go (amazingly we picked our Cabernet Sauvignon last Friday 20 April, around 3.5 weeks earlier than last year!). With a very good run of dry vintage weather, we’ve had virtually no hold ups and it’s been a  joy to see so much high quality fruit going into our bins. I reckon this vintage could rival the great vintage of 2005 – time will tell! Cheers, Fred

It was great to catch up with so many of you at the Taste of Tasmania. We can also confirm that we’ll be attending Festivale in Launceston from 2 February to 4 February 2018! This year, we’re located in Stall 91 – around the Rotunda. With a brand new layout this year for Festivale, it is looking like a great event – come along, say “hi” and take the opportunity to drop in and see us and taste our wines (including our new 2014 Estate Pinot Noir)!

Cheers, Fred

 

For the 28^th straight year we will be at Taste of Tasmania (28 December 2017 to 3 January 2018)!  This year you will find us inside the main Princes Wharf Shed – Stall 16.  We’re towards the river (eastern or far) end of the Shed, on a corner on the water side – the same site as last year. Take the opportunity to drop in and see us and of course taste our wines.