delayed budburst. The season saw sporadic rainfall, high winds, and one scorching 40°C day in November. Heavy summer rains over Christmas and into January were followed by a late-month heat spike. The hot, dry finish created a compact vintage. Grenache performed strongly, achieving higher yields than most. Thirty-four hectares of new vines were planted during 2023–2024, including 11 hectares of grenache, reflecting growing demand. 2023 Cool, wet spring conditions delayed budburst, with frequent rain events increasing disease pressure. November remained windy, cool, and wet, impacting fruit set across the region. Relief arrived with warm, mild, dry weather from December through February. The late flowering and mild summer led to an extended, delayed harvest. Yields were below average, but the vintage shone for growers who applied skill and patience to produce exceptional fruit.
Subregions of Distinction: The Character of McLaren Vale
While McLaren Vale sits within the broader Fleurieu Zone, its unofficial subregions are widely recognised, thanks to the storytelling and transparency of local producers. Many estates adopted subregional labelling early on, helping to educate consumers on the relationship between site and style. Blewitt Springs lies in the eastern hills and is the coolest subregion, reaching elevations of up to 300 metres. Deep Maslin sands rich in ironstone define the soils. Afternoon sea breezes cool the vineyards, home to some of Australia’s oldest bush-vine grenache and shiraz. Wines from this area are perfumed, structured, and elegant, ageing with glacial grace. Willunga Basin occupies the fertile, central-southern part of the region. Formed from an ancient creek bed, its deep alluvial soils are layered with sediment carried from the Willunga Escarpment to the sea. The basin’s low-lying position shelters it from strong winds, producing wines that are rich, balanced, and finely spiced. Seaview sits closest to the ocean and the Gulf St Vincent. Maritime breezes play a defining role here. Soils vary from sand to loam and deep limestone, yielding wines that are bright, mineral, and lively, often with a savoury edge and a natural thread of acidity.
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The Vintage Journal
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