Gibbos Vintage Report 2009
"The growing season was generally quite mild with a small severe heat-wave occurring in February. The subsoil moistures were low by midseason and yields in dry grown vineyards were severely impacted being approximately 60% of average at harvest. Varieties which stood out from a quality viewpoint were Shiraz and Grenache with some really fine expressions of character not seen for many years and resulting blenders are very stylish and not at all like 2008. Overall, it was a winemakers vintage where we could really finesse the wines...we will see more "class" in 2009 than many recent vintages! Volumes are down so supply of special genuinely premium wine will be short as usual. Loose end commenced its first vintage of grape crushing and fermentation in vats .Tempranillo, Sagrantino and Zinfandel were all processed there this year."
Cheers,
ROB GIBSON