2016-2018
Back to the story of the wines. Reflecting on the rest of the calendar year, after some wetter years, 2015 was drier, with a total rainfall of 959mm, 4% below average. Spring conditions were not overly challenging but during Cabernet Sauvignon’s flowering period, temperatures dropped and we had 15 nights when the thermometer fell below 8°C. We switched back to wet conditions through the summer, and during January, typically a dry month, we had 9 days of rain, totaling 115mm. Fortunately, the timing of the heaviest rain on 19th January was in our favour, because all the fruit was still firm and green, so there was no splitting or disease. Regular rain continued through February and March but caused no problems, because the vines were accustomed to the damp and coped without further damage.
n the meantime, temperatures had been in our favour, with a season average for Cabernet Sauvignon of 20°C, allowing steady progress. After 123 days, slightly longer than usual, courtesy of the rain, Cabernet Sauvignon was picked on 17th March, with a final alcohol of 14.6%. The only disappointment was with the yields, as the cool flowering weather came back to haunt us, down nearly 50%, to 4.34 tonnes per hectare.
Overall, the quality was excellent, with the full array of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon aromas, especially mulberry and violets, combining with surprisingly soft tannin, given the small crop. Another vintage that will age for at least another 3 decades.
Rain continued through the rest of the calendar year 2016, when we amassed another well above average 1248mm. The rain eased somewhat during spring but temperatures were relatively low and Cabernet Sauvignon flowered two weeks late but this meant there were only a handful of cold nights. As summer progressed, things remained mild and progress was slow and Mother Nature threw in some rain, just for a bit of interest. In March we had 82mm over 13 days and that combined with the mild temperatures had us watching the weather forecasts with concern.
In April, she smiled on us; the rain stopped, and we enjoyed classic autumn days. Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested on 10th April, 123 days after flowering, at a very close to average crop of 7.37 tonnes per hectare. The season temperature was a low 18.9°C but the last two weeks of fine weather ensured we got to full ripeness and the wine has a final alcohol of 14.2%. Given the timing of the rain and the lower temperatures and length of season, we liken this vintage to 1990. Cabernet Sauvignon shows off its prettier aromas like pomegranate and roses, that are often swamped in the warmer years. Using the older sibling as a cellaring guide, the 2017 will be yet another wine that will reward patience.
Mother Nature kept the switch on wet conditions through 2017 and we finished with 1117mm rain, 11% above average. Spring conditions were good to us and we avoided damaging storms and enjoyed warm temperatures, such that Cabernet Sauvignon flowered almost exactly on average. There were a few rainy days but no really cold nights to interrupt the process.
As we moved into summer, temperatures remained mild but were right in the sweet spot for Cabernet Sauvignon and it gradually became clear we were having a truly great year. Rain fell at the right times and refreshed the vineyard but didn’t cause problems. The average season temperature of 19.6°C aligns very closely with 2001’s 19.4°C and so we cruised to full ripen after 128 days, producing a final alcohol of 14.7% in the finished wine. All this combined with an above average yield of 8.67 tonnes per hectare. What a year! Needless to say, this is one of our finest vintages and ranks right at the top of the Pantheon of Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon.