2023 Vintage Notes
2023 VINTAGE NOTES Barossa’s 2023 vintage was 3-4 weeks later than the ‘new normal’ of the past 20 years. Barossa’s spring rainfall was one of the wettest on record, with an additional 131% more rain than the long-term average. Barossa experienced 53 rain days in Spring. Overall, the growing season saw average soil moisture and strong budburst. As well as flooding in some low-lying vineyards, the constant winter rain created some Downy Mildew disease risk. Fortunately, the majority of Barossa growers had diligent spray programs.
The summer rain predicted didn’t fall in Barossa, receiving only 43mm (or 56%) of the average. Summer days were sunny, both maximum and minimum temperatures average. There were no summer heatwaves. Only 32 days above 30°C for the entire summer. With this and large canopies, veraison did not occur in many varieties until Feb. Harvest eventually started in early March for some lighter white crops, but not until the middle of March for even the earliest red sites and varieties.
March and April were relatively fine, but a few rainfall events caused some disease pressure, keeping both growers and winemakers on their toes with crop management and picking dates. The hard work needed in the vineyard for the 2022/23 season paid off. Reds have intense, rich and balanced flavours and colours; whites have lovely aromatics, finesse and great natural acidity.
