Coonawarra

2003 Coonawarra Vintage Report

• Coonawarra enjoyed well-timed rainfall and moderate temperatures.
• An extended ripening period promoted flavour development and acid retention.
• Cool conditions very early in the vintage meant that yields were reduced.

Coonawarra experienced an excellent vintage in 2003, receiving rainfall at the right time during the growing season and benefiting from moderate temperatures. In contrast to many other regions, Coonawarra had a 5% higher rainfall than last year, much of it occurring on single days in the last weeks of January, February and March. Each rainfall invigorated the vines and maintained canopy health. Mild temperatures throughout February and March allowed the fruit to develop good flavours whilst retaining acid before warmer temperatures in the critical ripening month of April ensured a successful vintage.

Regional Vineyard Manager Allen Jenkins reported, "The coldest temperatures for more than 30 years in November and December of 2001, when buds are formed for the following season, meant that bunch numbers and size were destined to be low for the 2003 vintage. During pruning the vineyard team deliberately increased the number of buds on the vines but the small bunches meant that yields were still reduced."

Yields were certainly up from the 2002 vintage and the consistent conditions in the 2003 vintage meant that ripening was very even, with harvest starting on time and finishing in company vineyards by 28 April.

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Winemaker Sue Hodder is excited about the fine tannins and fruit concentration of the Cabernet Sauvignon, describing 2003 as, "one of the best in a long time." An ongoing program of rejuvenating some of the older vineyards, where vines are in excess of 30 years of age, provided dividends producing fruit with balanced, intense flavours. Sue is confident that there will be a fragrant, richly flavoured John Riddoch from 2003.

Sue Hodder also said, "The Shiraz is also very good with bright, vibrant colours and well-defined black pepper and the best Chardonnay, which ripened early, has attractive refined stone fruit characters.

It's exciting to see all the hard work in the vineyards starting to pay off, with structured, richly textured fruit destined to produce an outstanding Wynns Coonawarra Estate 'Black Label' Cabernet in 2003."