McLaren Vale's 2016 Vintage Set to be One of The Best

McLaren Vale’s exciting 2016 vintage is now drawing to an end, with the region’s vineyards now ready for pruning.

The 2016 vintage was heralded by many as ‘one of the greatest vintages in McLaren Vale’s history,’ with reports from winemakers and grape grower’s alike building an exciting anticipation in the lead up to the flurry of activity through the months of February, March and April.

Richard Angove, Chief Winemaker and Managing Director of Angove Wines confirmed the predicted quality.

“2016 may well go down as one of the great vintages in recent memory. Vines were well balanced, crop levels were good, colour and flavour fantastic. Shiraz parcels look exceptional with vibrancy and vivid colour, Grenache is showing amazing perfume and finesse,” said Mr Angove.

Warm days and cool nights throughout vintage provided the ideal environment for the later parts of the ripening period, with Kay Brothers Winemaker Duncan Kennedy attributing the region’s mild weather conditions to flavour development.

“Mild weather during the final ripening period provided ideal conditions for full flavour development, and the wines are highly aromatic with gentle acidity and moderate alcohol levels,” said Mr Kennedy.

With higher than average yields across the region’s vineyards, Scott Zrna, Senior Winemaker from Fox Creek, observing a purity of fruit, translating to elegant tannins.

“Early indications are a great quality vintage even with the slightly higher than average cropping levels, the 2016 wines already exhibit purity of fruit flavours with a beautiful line of (what will be) fine elegant tannin,” said Mr Zrna.

The 2016 vintage saw McLaren Vale’s wine industry feeling confident and eager with the region’s reputation for producing premium full bodied red wines continuing with increasing quantities of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache.

Renewed enthusiasm also stems from the success of re-emerging Mediterranean varietals including Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Roussanne – all very well suited to the growing conditions of the region.

McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association General Manager, Jennifer Lynch, looks forward to the wines made from this vintage, reaffirming the regions position as a premier leader in wine production and tourism.

“The reports about the current vintage and fruit quality, coupled with the announcement of Adelaide’s inclusion in the internationally renowned Great Wine Capitals of the World network, not only enhances the narrative of our States ‘wine story’, but also strengthens our global reputation for premium food and wine tourism,” Ms Lynch said.

“It’s an exciting time for our region.”

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