2009 Harvest Report
The information provided in this report was supplied by DGB, Distell, KWV, SAWIS, and the various bodies and individuals mentioned in each regional report, and was compiled by Angela Lloyd.
OVERVIEW:
It is fitting that as South Africa records 350 years of winemaking, 2009 has delivered what promises to be a great vintage year for both white and red wines. As Hartenberg's winemaker, Carl Schultz, puts it: "It wasn't the case of whites being as good as 1997, or reds on a par with 1995, 2000. Having both perform so well in the same vintage is probably what sets 2009 apart from other years."
After a late start, winter 2008 was like the Cape winters of old - plentiful rain and cold, with snow on the mountains. These conditions bolstered both dam and water table levels, and sent the vines into deep dormancy. Good snow and frost was experienced in the eastern areas of Calitzdorp and the Klein Karoo but Boets Nel of De Krans regards the 2008/9 season as one of the driest in years.
Early spring in the western part of the Cape brought more heavy rains, causing floods around the Olifants River; it was also unusually cold - on 19 September the temperature on the Jordan's eponymous Stellenbosch farm fell to 4.2ºC. Despite the unusually wet weather, disease pressure remained low, mainly due to the cold conditions accompanied by brisk winds. The cold also delayed budding and growth, suggesting the harvest would be at least two weeks late.
More floods occurred in November throughout the Breede River Valley and the Overberg, leaving many low-lying vineyards and their infrastructure badly damaged.
The cooler than average weather continued through to January. After good, even budding, in some areas, the prolonged cool weather affected flowering and berry set, leaving early-ripening varieties, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage, with lower yields. But generally, and according to Distell's chief viticulturist, Dirk Bosman, these conditions "...slowed down ripening, which was good for flavour accumulation. Berry size tended to be smaller than average to give an excellent fruit-to-skin ratio, making for outstanding intensity of colour in the reds.'"
The unusually cool weather was not without its concerns. KWV's chief viticulturist, Cobus van Graan, jokingly compared the harvest to a pregnancy scare: "Things were running very late, everyone was worried, but once the test results were known and the grapes looked fine, we all got down to work again and soon no-one could remember what all the fuss was about!"
Van Graan also comments positively that "the condition of vine canopies remained superior, ultimately resulting in better grape analysis". This view is endorsed by Bellingham's viticulturist, Stephan Joubert, who describes 2009 as ''a text book crush, the kind that one wishes for at university; low pH and high natural acidity, with all the red grapes showing ideal tannin ripeness". Many viticulturists and winemakers also note that full ripeness was achieved at lower sugar levels, leading to welcome lower alcohols.
From January onwards, it became very dry, making irrigation in less moisture-retentive soils crucial and putting pressure on dryland vineyards with similar soils. In some of the latter blocks, especially around Darling, there were signs of stress towards the end of harvest. Dryland vineyards with virused, late-ripening varieties also struggled to ripen. The dry conditions were exacerbated by the hot weather which arrived later than usual, well into February. Thankfully, by then many of the white varieties, which show expressive aromatics, full flavours and good structure, were already in the cellars.
As usual, with the hotter weather, everything began to ripen simultaneously, often in unusual sequence, putting pressure on space in the cellars. If, in many cases, the harvest began two weeks late, it finished up to a month early. Stress levels ran high for winemakers!
As if everyone involved with the harvest didn't have enough to deal with, fires raged throughout the Cape winelands from 4 February, the worst occurring in the Stellenbosch, Helderberg and Jonkershoek areas; this lasted for nearly five weeks due to its inaccessibility, the heat and wind which often fanned embers. Many hectares of fynbos (indigenous vegetation) were burnt, and many vineyards in these districts were damaged. The problem of smoke taint is being assessed and monitored as the wines develop, but it is likely wine made from some vineyards will not be used.
According to the latest SAWIS statistics, the 2009 harvest is estimated at 1 305 681 tons, an overall decrease of 8.4% on 2008. Reversing last year's trend, only the Klein Karoo anticipates a larger crop.
But as the old saying goes, it is quality, not quantity, that counts and 2009 looks as though it will offer plenty of the former.
Below are listed alphabetically reports from individual regions.
REGION: BOT RIVER
CONTRIBUTORS: BARTON FARM, BEAUMONT, FEITEIRAS, LUDDITE, WILDEKRANS
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 Rains started late, but when they came, a proper, very wet, cold winter was enjoyed. August and September were particularly wet, which delayed budding.
SPRING 2008 Cool and wet, causing higher than usual disease pressure and vigorous growth.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 Bad floods with Bot River changing course of its flow, flooding Beaumont's low-lying vineyards and orchards. One of the coolest flowering periods on record, resulting in lower crops. Later, the cool weather was ideal for slow ripening.
HARVEST 2009 Early part still cool with more showers, thundershowers. Harvest was late but phenolic ripening was achieved at lower sugars. March was dry with a three-day heatwave, causing young vines to take some stress.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) Bird damage (Barton, Wildekrans). Sugars running away in heatwave, sporadic rain leading to some downy mildew (Barton). Finding space and time when grapes ripened with a rush; changing mindset from harvesting reds at 24.5º Balling to between 23-24º and on taste (Beaumont). Maintaining balanced crop so young vines didn't take too much stress; exercising patience to achieve optimum ripeness; getting to grips with a brand new cellar (Luddite).
POSITIVES Elegant whites with lower alcohols; reds with good colour and tannin structure (Barton). More freshness and elegance; reds with good weight (Beaumont). Few surprises in either vineyards or cellar, thanks to our small size (Feiteiras). Extremely good colour on reds (Luddite). All round excellent healthy grapes (Wildekrans).
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Sauvignon Blanc (Barton, Wildekrans). Shiraz (Barton, Beaumont, Feiteiras, Luddite, Wildekrans). Chenin Blanc (Beaumont). Mourvèdre (Beaumont, a whole-bunch, foot-stomped barrel is very interesting; Feiteiras). Verdelho, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon all promising (Feiteiras). All reds great, even Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (Beaumont).
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillon (Barton - rain and longer ripening meant choosing between letting grapes hang with the risk of rot or harvesting at slightly lower ripeness; the latter choice was a good one.) Sauvignon Blanc (Beaumont). Merlot (Feiteiras).
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS) Most varieties lower than usual 8 tons/hectare; Merlot most affected, dropping to 5 tons/ha (Barton). Down a few tons on most varieties due to November rain (Beaumont). Overall lower (Luddite). Up 16% on 2008 (Wildekrans).
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) It's a cracker! The wines have great balance, elegance and delicious power (Beaumont). Looking forward to great 2009 wines (Feiteiras). Good (Luddite).
REGION: BREEDEKLOOF
CONTRIBUTORS: BERGSIG, DEETLEFS
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 Unusually high rainfall; snow on surrounding mountains for large part of winter. Enough cold units to ensure even budding, even on difficult varieties such as Chardonnay.
SPRING 2008 Cool with plentiful rain ensuring good soil moisture but also disease free. Late budding. Unusually low night temperatures during flowering of early varieties resulted in yields 50% down in some vineyards.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 Heavy mid-November rainfall caused much local damage. High powdery mildew infestation but spraying difficult as vineyards too wet to navigate. Moderate temperatures in December; dry, windy January with no excessively high temperatures.
HARVEST 2009 Cool days and nights in January and February, warmer days in March. Harvest delayed by about 10-14 days.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) Highly focused, short harvest (Bergsig). Cooler weather led to slow fermentation, both alcoholic and malo-lactic (Deetlefs).
POSITIVES Even ripening; disease-free grapes, so nothing to complain about! (Bergsig). Analyses look good (Deetlefs).
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Chenin Blanc (Deetlefs). Sauvignon Blanc (Bergsig). Chardonnay (Bergsig). Pinotage (Bergsig - particularly good; Deetlefs). Cabernet Sauvignon (Bergsig, Deetlefs).
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Chenin Blanc (Bergsig). None (Deetlefs).
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANT LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS)
Pinotage down by 25-35% (Bergsig). Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot all down 20% (Deetlefs).
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) Fully ripe grapes with high, well-balanced acids, good colour and complexity with low volatile acidity. "My guess is that 2009 wines will show early; fuller bodied wines will have good ageing potential. Probably the best quality since 1989, my first vintage," De Wet Lategan (Bergsig). Good (Deetlefs).
REGION: CALITZDORP/KLEIN KAROO
CONTRIBUTORS: AXE HILL, BOPLAAS, DE KRANS
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 Very dry, long and cold with no significant rain but snow on the mountains and good frost.
SPRING 2008 Cool start, dry with no late frost allowing for excellent fruit set.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 Only 50 mm of rain mid-November, otherwise no bad weather throughout the ripening season. Generally cool with some hot periods.
HARVEST 2009 Hot spikes (± 40ºC) in February and March with two bouts of rain mid-harvest, interrupting ripening process. March much warmer, the heatwave caused acids to drop and pH levels to rise; fortunately most of the harvest was in the cellar, so the heat had little impact.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) Stressed vines in part due to idiosyncrasies of Calitzdorp irrigation system. Nets offered some protection from birds but dry surrounding area ensured vineyards received more attention as a food source (Axe Hill). Stress forced some blocks to be harvested earlier than desired. One of driest years for many years, dams nearly empty; as a summer rainfall area big problems for 2010 may be anticipated (De Krans). Lengthy harvest lasting 10 weeks (Boplaas).
POSITIVES Slower ripening produced better phenolics (Axe Hill). Healthy, fully ripe fruit (Boplaas). Healthy grapes with good analyses, giving well-structured wines, reds and Port-styles especially (De Krans).
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Touriga Nacional (Axe Hill). Pinot Noir (Boplaas - as base wine for sparkling). Chardonnay (De Krans - especially CY9 clone). All Port varieties (Boplaas - we're flabbergasted by the fruit and colour intensity; De Krans - no rot, good structure, acidity and colour). Cabernet Sauvignon (De Krans - especially those harvested in February).
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES N/A.
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS) Down 50% due to stress and pests (Axe Hill) .Reds up 10%; Port varieties up more than 15% due to healthy grapes, better fruit set. Hanepoot and White Muscadel up 30% due to better fruit set. Overall crop up by more than 20% on 2008, though only 10% up on a normal year (De Krans).
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) Good colour and varietal expression (Axe Hill). Good Ports, very good reds, definitely better than 2008. Whites have slightly less flavour than 2009 but better body and structure (De Krans).
REGION: CAPE AGULHAS/ELIM
CONTRIBUTORS: BLACK OYSTERCATCHER, JEAN DANEEL, STRANDVELD
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 Very cold with above-average rainfall.
SPRING 2008 Also cold with longer growth period; windy conditions caused uneven budding.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 Windy, the south-easter bringing occasional rain. Still cool, resulting in slow growth.
HARVEST 2009 February dry and cool, March warmer and dry.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) Damage from birds and a vervet monkey (Jean Daneel). Harvest starting two to three weeks later than usual. (Black Oystercatcher, Strandveld).
POSITIVES Cool weather and longer ripening resulted in exceptional grape quality (Black Oystercatcher, Jean Daneel, Strandveld).
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Sauvignon Blanc (Jean Daneel, Strandveld). Pinot Noir (Strandveld). Shiraz (Jean Daneel).
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES N/A.
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS) All down on average (Black Oystercatcher). Less than expected and light in weight and recovery (Jean Daneel). Down generally by 13% with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir the worst hit (Strandveld).
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) A vintage remembered for its quality (Black Oystercatcher). Overall good (Jean Daneel). Smaller quantity redeemed by high quality (Strandveld).
REGION: CEDERBERG
CONTRIBUTORS: CEDERBERG CELLARS
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 Late, wet and cold; -10ºC was the lowest temperature recorded.
SPRING 2008 Still very cold. Occasional strong north-west winds during budding.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 Favourably cool, no heatwaves.
HARVEST 2009 A fantastic February, followed by an early-March heatwave. Towards the end of the month, exceptionally cold nights were experienced with unexpected frost in lower-lying areas. These extended further the ripening period of reds with positive results.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) Uneven ripening of reds required frequent green harvesting. Strong north-westerly winds during budding damaged quite a lot of Shiraz shoots. A little frost damage on Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. After a late start, everything ripened together but harvesting wasn't complete until mid-April: "So no Easter holiday for the working class in the Cederberg," quips David Nieuwoudt.
POSITIVES Daily north-westerly winds cooled vineyards. Slow ripening. All Sauvignon Blanc and 90% of other whites harvested before March heat.
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Sauvignon Blanc is good average but not exceptional.
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS) N/A.
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) Overall good average with some exceptional late-ripening reds in Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
REGION: CONSTANTIA/CAPE POINT
CONTRIBUTORS: CAPE POINT VINEYARDS, CONSTANTIA UITSIG, EAGLE'S NEST, KLEIN CONSTANTIA, STEENBERG
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 Late but good cold, wet winter resulting in both delayed dormancy and budding. Constantia Uitsig recorded 1 376mm of rain, the highest annual rainfall since 1988.
SPRING 2008 Cold and wet resulted in slow growth with spring arriving only towards end of October. Strong winds battered young shoots on exposed vines. Rainfall recorded on Steenberg was 330mm against the 30-year norm of 159mm.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 Cool. Good though late budding, Chardonnay especially. South-easter during flowering of Sauvignon Blanc caused some damage. Late rains caused much vegetative growth requiring extensive canopy management. Beautiful slow ripening, no stress; a perfect year.
HARVEST 2009 Real summer arrived in February with the hottest days in early March. Combination of amazingly moderate conditions and very dry ripening period ensured outstanding fruit quality and concentration with no rot. Irrigation during short heatwave pre-empted any damage.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) Strong vegetative growth required extensive canopy management; this continued into January (Cape Point Vineyards). Controlling micro-climate with correct suckering and irrigation (Constantia Uitsig, Klein Constantia). The harvest ran very smoothly; the challenge was to decide whether to hold off celebrating until the final pressing! (Eagle's Nest). Dry season exacerbated lack of homogenous ripening, necessitating precision in sampling and harvesting. "March heat spikes were the most impressive since I arrived mid-2003," reports Adam Mason (Klein Constantia).
POSITIVES Harvesting decisions were made on phenolic ripeness of very healthy fruit - there was no rot to affect decisions. Brought in fruit from prime vineyards around the Cape, also fantastic quality (Cape Point Vineyards). Very good acids and pH levels with good juice recovery and exceptional flavours (Constantia Uitsig, Klein Constantia). Superlative quality fruit, ripe at lower sugar levels with balanced acids (Eagle's Nest).
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Sauvignon Blanc (Cape Point Vineyards, Steenberg - unbelievable acids, highly aromatic, the most incredible vintage in many years). Semillon (Cape Point Vineyards, Constantia Uitsig). Chardonnay (Constantia Uitsig). Merlot (Constantia Uitsig, Eagle's Nest - great concentration). Shiraz (Eagle's Nest - great concentration).
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Cabernet Sauvignon (Constantia Uitsig - full ripeness difficult to achieve).
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS) Very good yields achieved on all varieties (Constantia Uitsig). Slightly higher on all varieties but probably due to the young vines getting older (Eagle's Nest). Slightly up on 2008 (Klein Constantia).
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) An exciting vintage, one of the best of the decade (Cape Point Vineyards). Whites of exceptional quality, balanced, complex and generous. Merlot great yield and fruit quality (Constantia Uitsig). Stunning! (Eagle's Nest). Whites powerful and rich. Reds amazing colour, beautifully ripe with concentrated flavours (Klein Constantia). Amazing! (Steenberg).
REGION: DARLING/SWARTLAND
CONTRIBUTORS: CLOOF, LAMMERSHOEK, MULLINEUX WINES, SPICE ROUTE
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 Cold and wet with highest rainfall in the last 10 years, providing good soil moisture levels.
SPRING 2008 Cold, wet and windy but disease free. Slightly slow start to bud break, which was uneven in places. The wind affected some varieties during flowering, resulting in a lower yield.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 Mild with almost no rain, just a little thunder which boosted vegetation, necessitating massive canopy and shoot thinning and suckering; delayed veraison. Generally, lovely growing conditions with no real heatwaves which with late bud break projected a harvest starting at least two weeks later than usual.
HARVEST 2009 Hot and dry. Cool with the first-ever February start at Lammershoek and also for Charl du Plessis, in his eighth vintage at Spice Route. Short two- to three-day heatwaves during February resulted in finishing 10 days earlier than usual.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) Heatwave and new staff (Cloof). Late start and early finish meant three weeks less to do all the work with not a lot of sleep! Sugar in some blocks ran away (Lammershoek). Being patient early on but getting all the grapes in quickly towards the end (Mullineux Wines). Early varieties ripened late, late varieties ready very early; all Swartland Pinotage and Shiraz harvested in a week; normally, these ripen around two weeks apart (Spice Route).
POSITIVES Awesome quality; healthy grapes with some raisining towards the end (Lammershoek). Very healthy vineyards; really superb acidities (Mullineux Wines). Swartland Sauvignon Blanc harvested prior to heatwave required no acid addition, a first! (Spice Route).
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Sauvignon Blanc (Cloof - from a south-facing slope; Spice Route). Pinotage (Cloof - harvested before heatwave). Shiraz (Lammershoek). Carignan (Lammershoek). Grenache (Lammershoek). Chenin Blanc (Lammershoek - it never settles for second best!).
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Chardonnay (Cloof - heat-stressed vines). Cabernet Sauvignon (Cloof - heat-stressed vines; Spice Route - stress in Darling dryland vineyards). Pinotage (Lammershoek). Sauvignon Blanc (Lammershoek).
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS) Generally down except for Pinotage (Cloof). Some Chenin Blanc vineyards lower (Lammershoek). Average 10% up (Mullineux Wines). Viognier, Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc down (Spice Route).
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) Not great; juice analyses had high sugars and acids with low pH levels suggest unripe grapes. Alcohol levels are extremely high (Cloof). Good ripeness with great acids (Mullineux Wines). Very good; flavoursome Sauvignon Blanc, generous reds (Spice Route).
REGION: DURBANVILLE
CONTRIBUTORS: DE GRENDEL, DIEMERSDAL, HILLCREST, MEERENDAL, NITIDA
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 After a late start, very wet and cold, way above usual annual rainfall.
SPRING 2008 Mild to cold with heavy rain. Nitida recorded nearly four times the average September rainfall. This resulted in very late budding and flowering. Hillcrest experienced vigorous growth but able to support a higher yield as leaf areas to fruit ratio were in balance.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 Mild; mean average temperature on Hillcrest from September to January 2009 was 16.6°C compared to 17.9°C for the same period in 2008, resulting in slow berry development and a later start to the harvest. Cool growing conditions, allowing very good berry set. Eventually very dry; Nitida recorded 8mm of rain from January to March, the lowest in that period for 15 years.
HARVEST 2009 Moderate temperatures with cool mornings; some heat spikes in March but good October rains buffered the vines. On Hillcrest, the mean 2009 February temperature was 21.6°C compared to 2008's 19.6°C, boosting ripening.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) Sauvignon Blanc and the heatwaves (Diemersdal). Some damage in Heritage block Pinotage due to south-easter during flowering (Meerendal). Weeds were a problem due to wet start to spring, compounded by later need for irrigation. Condensed harvest, with unusual ripening sequence; Pinotage, normally among first varieties picked, was nearly the last (Nitida).
POSITIVES Fantastic fruit in whites, especially Sauvignon Blanc, where nine different wines all bring a positive contribution to a bigger blend (De Grendel). Fruit disease free and in good condition (Hillcrest). Healthy fruit, excellent colours, very good flavours, soft tannins (Meerendal). High quality fruit, some of the healthiest for many vintages (Nitida).
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Sauvignon Blanc (De Grendel, Diemersdal, Hillcrest, Meerendal, Nitida). Chenin Blanc (Meerendal). Semillon (Nitida). Merlot (De Grendel, Nitida). Shiraz (Diemersdal, Meerendal). Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot (Hillcrest - good colour, abundant fruit). Cabernet Sauvignon (Nitida).
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Chardonnay and Merlot (Meerendal). Riesling and Pinotage (Nitida).
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS) Down overall about 7%; Chardonnay up thanks to good budding conditions (De Grendel). Average, except for Chardonnay, which was down 45% (Diemersdal). About 10% up on 2008 (Meerendal). On par, except Sauvignon Blanc down 20% (Nitida).
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) One of the great vintages (De Grendel, Diemersdal). Excellent (Hillcrest). Splendid, better than 2008 (Meerendal).
REGION: ELGIN
CONTRIBUTORS: OAK VALLEY, PAUL CLUVER, SOUTH HILL
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 Started late, but then delivered normal generous rainfall and temperatures.
SPRING 2008 Cold and wet, resulting in late bud break and flowering. Good flowering and set thanks to less strong winds.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 Heavy November rains, cool conditions. With warmer weather and plentiful water available, vigorous vine growth was a challenge.
HARVEST 2009 Very dry but not too hot, 17.5-18.5ºC average temperature for period January to March.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) Harvesting grapes at right time involved many long days and nights (Oak Valley). Completing canopy management of all varieties in a shorter period, a challenge overcome by employing more people. Many varieties ripening much closer together than normal, which required increasing the daily tonnage intake. Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon took time to ripen, last Shiraz harvested 15 April. The crop, especially Sauvignon Blanc, was bigger than expected, putting pressure on cellar capacity (Paul Cluver). Unexpected jump in sugars after sluggish start early February (South Hill).
POSITIVES Quality overall looking very good (Oak Valley, Paul Cluver, South Hill).
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES All varieties looking good (Oak Valley). Riesling - aromatic; Pinot Noir (Paul Cluver). Sauvignon Blanc - great flavours, good natural acid, Cabernet Sauvignon (South Hill).
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS) Yields up on 2008 due to maturing vineyards and better viticulture. Riesling 100% up on 2008 thanks to less sour rot (Paul Cluver). Down overall, especially Sauvignon Blanc (South Hill).
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) See POSITIVES.
REGION: FRANSCHHOEK
CONTRIBUTORS: CABRIERE, CAPE CHAMONIX, GRAHAM BECK, LA MOTTE, LYNX, SOLMS-DELTA, STONY BROOK
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 Wettest year of decade with heavy rains, snow and cold from June until end November, allowing the vines a good sleep. Good reservoir of ground water, projected good budding.
SPRING 2008 Still cold and wet resulting in late bud break, uneven set and initial slow growth. Flowering also influenced by delayed cold conditions, leading to lower yields. Strong October winds caused damage but also reduced fungal spore load.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 Lower temperatures than average delayed harvest by up to two weeks. Brief heatwave early December damaged unprotected bunches. Very little rain. Little disease pressure.
HARVEST 2009 Ideal moderate conditions until heatwave struck last week of February. This had a big impact on quality, especially in dryland vineyards. Early cooler weather with slow ripening was perfect for flavour retention.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) Vigorous growth, with much green harvesting to compensate for uneven ripening. Picking sufficiently early to get grapes into cellar and crushed before the heat of the day (Cabrière). Insects caused loss of ±15% of fruit in some blocks (no insecticides are sprayed). Grape sorting due to uneven ripening (Chamonix). Early varieties ripening later, later varieties ripening earlier (Graham Beck). Canopy management to control growth, allow good air flow for drying. Accurate irrigation in dry summer conditions, especially in area's sandy soils (La Motte). Sugar not good indication of ripeness, timing required careful tasting (La Motte, Lynx). Periods of heat accelerated ripening in some varieties, resulting in sugars overtaking phenolic ripeness (Stony Brook).
POSITIVES Healthy grapes with good extract and flavour (Cabrière). Better fruit and concentration than 2008; fine tannin structure on reds. Wines with healthy, clean profiles (Chamonix). Ripe fruit at lower sugars (La Motte). Low yields gave terrific concentration, reds particularly (Lynx). Natural high acids with full ripe flavours ensure wines with good ageing potential (Stony Brook).
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Chardonnay (Cabrière, Chamonix). Sauvignon Blanc (Chamonix, La Motte - best in nine years, Lynx - more tropical flavours; Stony Brook). Pinot Noir (Cabrière). Merlot (Graham Beck, Lynx - fantastic phenolic ripeness without high sugars; Stony Brook). Shiraz (Graham Beck, Stony Brook). Petit Verdot, Mourvèdre and Carignan (La Motte). Grenache (La Motte, Solms-Delta - good acid, intense aromas). Mourvèdre (Solms-Delta - ex-Swartland). Cabernet Sauvignon (Stony Brook). Petit Verdot (Graham Beck).
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Merlot (Chamonix - high acid). Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon (La Motte). Viognier (Solms-Delta - harvested after the heatwave).
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS) Average (Cabrière). Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon down 20%. Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc above average (Chamonix). Overall down by at least 5%, Sauvignon Blanc down 30% (La Motte).
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) Very good (Cabrière). Great vintage for whites and Pinot Noir - wines with real depth and concentration. Excellent on whites and reds, the latter with intense flavours without excessive alcohols (Lynx). Good to above average (Solms-Delta). Whites with excellent ageing potential. High alcohol reds with well-balanced acid and svelte tannins (Stony Brook).
REGION: OLIFANTS RIVER
CONTRIBUTORS: FRYER'S COVE, KLAWER, NAMAQUA, SIR LAMBERT
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 Late but cold with good rainfall early July, filling water table to capacity.
SPRING 2008 Cooler than winter with a late and variable bud burst. September floods saw the Olifants River bursting its banks and submerging lower lying vineyards, a situation which exacerbated the problematic bud burst.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 Nice and cool, good, quality ripening period.
HARVEST 2009 Moderate conditions for first two weeks of harvest, real heat arrived early February remained for a month, until end harvest. Some hotter than usual days in February.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) Battle against sparrows, birds in general (Fryer's Cove, Sir Lambert). Keeping grapes cold between harvesting and crushing in Stellenbosch (Fryer's Cove). Lower yield in flooded vineyards. Harvesting at optimal ripeness during heatwaves (Klawer, Namaqua). Fermentation capacity once varieties ripened simultaneously; grapes lost weight due to heatwave; different analyses of grapes harvested before and after heatwave (Namaqua).
POSITIVES Outstanding quality, as most of the harvest was picked before the heatwave (Fryer's Cove). Low disease pressure; crop down only 1.6% against estimated 4% (Klawer). Healthy grapes, awesome maiden Shiraz (Sir Lambert).
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Sauvignon Blanc (Fryer's Cove, Klawer, Namaqua; Sir Lambert - very high pyrazines). Chenin Blanc (Klawer). Pinot Noir (Fryer's Cove). Pinotage (Klawer, Namaqua). Shiraz (Sir Lambert).
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Colombard (Klawer, Namaqua). Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Ruby Cabernet (Klawer). Merlot (Namaqua).
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS) Sauvignon Blanc 10% up, Pinot Noir 10% down (Fryer's Cove). Overall slightly down, reds down 9.4% with Cabernet Sauvignon main sufferer at minus 20%. Chenin, Sauvignon Blanc and White Muscadel (28%) all up (Klawer). Whites down 5%, reds 10%, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon show greatest drop (Namaqua).
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) Promising (Fryer's Cove). Whites good overall with outstanding Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, the best in years. Reds good structure and intensity (Klawer). Good (Namaqua).
REGION: ORANGE RIVER
CONTRIBUTORS: THE REGION'S FIVE CELLARS
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 Lasted longer than usual with very low night temperatures, days hotter than usual.
SPRING 2008 Very low night temperatures, even frost; this lasted until end of October.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 November cool with hotter weather from mid-January. Very little rain.
HARVEST 2009 Dry and hot from mid-January until towards end of February. Then lots of rain until end of the season.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) High early season temperatures saw fast ripening of red varieties. Both viticulturists and winemakers had to pay strict attention to achieve ideal analyses. Rain later in season.
POSITIVES Very low pH and high acid levels produced very fruity wines. Good colours.
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage.
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS) Overall a decrease of 33%, mainly due to bad crops of Sultana and Merbein normally used for grape concentrate. Chenin Blanc 25% and Colombard 15% down.
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) One of the best seasons for quality.
REGION: PAARL/WELLINGTON/VOOR PAARDEBERG
CONTRIBUTORS: AVONDALE, FAIRVIEW, GLEN CARLOU, JOOSTENBERG, KWV, LANDSKROON, MONT DU TOIT, RUPERT & ROTHSCHILD, SCALI, SEIDELBERG, VREDE EN LUST
WEATHER CONDITIONS (AND CONSEQUENCES):
WINTER 2008 Good Cape winter, with sufficient rain and cold. Wettest winter in 25 years on Landskroon - 885mm rain compared to 650mm average. Dams and water tables full. Lower temperatures resulted in good dormancy, allowing time to finish pruning early, producing more even bud burst in spring.
SPRING 2008 Wet and cooler than usual, rainfall three times that of long-term average leaving budding two to three weeks late; this delay persisted through to harvest. Uneven budding due to cool weather was rectified with arrival of warmer conditions. In some areas, strong winds caused late, uneven flowering. Less wind elsewhere allowed for good flowering and fruit set. Later, slower start negatively affected set on some early varieties such as Pinotage. Dry October with low disease pressure.
NOVEMBER 2008 - JANUARY 2009 Warm with odd hot days, no heatwaves, very little rain so no disease or damage, allowing a good, healthy crop with good grape analysis. Winter rain meant less irrigation; dry, cool conditions, less spraying. Vines were in the best condition ever experienced (Glen Carlou). Dryland vineyards stress-free thanks to some November rain. Cooler growing season produced small berries, even veraison and gradual ripening. Disease almost unheard of, a very good quality vintage was anticipated.
HARVEST 2009 Moderate daytime temperatures and cool evenings were a feature of January and early February. The odd mm of rain just settled the dust but had no ill effects. White varieties came in optimally ripe with good acid and pH levels. March heatwaves caused all reds to ripen simultaneously, putting pressure on cellars. Correct irrigation schedule critical for reds after the heatwave, which slowed down ripening.
HARVEST 2009:
CHALLENGES (IN VINEYARD AND CELLAR) Difficult flowering conditions caused uneven bunches; thinning out during veraison resulted in a more even crop. Most reds ripened in a two-week period, challenging fermentation space. (Avondale). Slow start then everything ripening simultaneously with warmer weather (Fairview). Finding cellar space for the largest crop (±950 tons) ever (Glen Carlou). Simultaneous ripening leading to cellar space problems (Landskroon, Mont du Toit, Seidelberg, Vrede en Lust). Not feeling negative about the global financial situation! (Scali). With these ideal growing conditions too much vigour became a problem in high-potential soils (Rupert & Rothschild). Having white grapes coming in from Elgin and reds from the farm at the same time (Vrede en Lust).
POSITIVES Healthy grapes with good acids and pH levels. Reds with small berries, excellent concentration and flavour (Avondale). Slightly lower crop, so less crop-thinning. Small bunches with concentrated flavours. (Fairview). Quality, healthy grapes requiring fewer acid additions. Great cellar team with no big wine spills! (Glen Carlou). Grape quality helped with keeping focused (Scali). Berries with intense flavours, fine, ripe tannins with moderate potential alcohol (Seidelberg). After three years, getting to know vineyards and determine where top-quality grapes coming from (Vrede en Lust).
BEST-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Viognier (Fairview, Vrede en Lust) Chardonnay (Fairview - from Darling; Glen Carlou - Quartz Stone incredible complexity, flavour intensity; Rupert & Rothschild - from Tradauw). Sauvignon Blanc (Fairview, Glen Carlou, Seidelberg, Vrede en Lust). Chenin Blanc (Joostenberg, Scali). Shiraz (Fairview, Glen Carlou - rich, full mouthfeel, Scali, Vrede en Lust). Pinotage (Scali, Seidelberg). Merlot (Glen Carlou - lots of upfront dark berries; Mont du Toit; Ruper & Rothschild - from Tradauw; Seidelberg; Vrede en Lust) Cabernet Sauvignon (Fairview, Joostenberg, Mont du Toit, Rupert & Rothschild - from Helderberg).
LESS WELL-PERFORMING WHITE AND RED VARIETIES Pinotage (Fairview). Cabernet Franc (Glen Carlou). Cabernet Sauvignon (Vrede en Lust).
CROP SIZE (OVERALL AND VARIETIES WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER OR HIGHER YIELDS) Smaller overall, Cabernet Sauvignon up to 30% down (Fairview). Up on all varieties, except Cabernet Sauvignon (Glen Carlou). Overall slightly up (Joostenberg). Slightly down with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage substantially lower (KWV). About 5% down on 2008 (Landskroon). Down 30% on average, Chardonnay and Pinotage showing greatest drop (Scali). Most varieties down 10-20%, Pinotage 35% down, Chardonnay slightly up (Seidelberg). Most down ±5% (Vrede en Lust).
OVERALL QUALITY (WHITES AND REDS) Whites with small berries, good acids, complex flavours and good length. Reds with excellent concentration and flavour (Avondale). Good vintage with some real standout wines from our Paarl, Stellenbosch, Darling and Swartland vineyards (Fairview). Very good though some Sauvignon Blanc negatively affected by heatwaves (Joostenberg). Whites with good balance, varietal character. Reds with good colour, ripe fruit without being overbearing (KWV). A year of good quality (Landskroon). Reds with very good tannin structure (Mont du Toit). A solid vintage with elegant wines (Rupert & Rothschild). Excellent quality, good concentration, balance and higher natural acids - we're excited! (Scali). Potentially good to very good quality (Seidelberg). Some definite beauties among reds (Vrede en Lust). /continues