2nd
February - 2012
Due to one
of the hottest Januarys on record, we commenced our 2012 grape harvest today -
a record 5 days earlier than our previous earliest vintage 2007.
Consistently
warm to hot weather with mild nights has ripened the Chardonnay fruit quite
quickly, which is developing very good flavour at low sugar levels. Due to our
early harvest regime the acidity levels are very good, and the first block of
fruit picked has lovely lime/lemon flavours which this block consistently
displays. This block is planted to Chardonnay Dijon Clone 95, and whilst not
overly powerful in fruit intensity, it offers a more textural and structural
element to our wine. It is perfectly suited to fermentation in barrel with lots
of solids and, allowing the indigenous yeasts to do their thing.
We have a
few cooler days forecast, followed by some warmer conditions later next week,
so I expect harvest will be in full swing by early to mid next week.
All
varieties are through veraison and, the early cane and seed ripeness on the red
varieties is the best I have seen!.
I am sure
next week will have a lot more action with quite a few Chardonnay blocks very
close to ripeness.
It is great
to be underway and, embracing another early and potentially compressed harvest
period ,which will keep us all quite busy for the next 6 to 8 weeks.
Steve James, Voyager Estate
