Vintage 2023 was challenging but with appropriate vineyard management and picking decisions, we are very happy with the resulting wines. The season had frequent, small showers of rain and not many days at above average temperatures. Flowering went through quickly in a week of warm and dry weather. Summer temperatures were mild, before cool weather and frequent rain showers in Autumn led to some disease pressure and slow ripening.
The Balnaves chardonnay was hand-picked on 7th and 14th March at 12.4 Baume, with lifted, orange blossom and citrus aromatics. This wine is developing further complexity by aging in barrel on lees. Kicking off red harvesting, Merlot was picked on 3rd April with inviting plum and dark berry characters. Shiraz was picked on 11 April, with Cabernet coming in from 6th – 16th April, a very condensed period. There is great colour and flavour development, and tannin ripeness in these parcels despite lower baumes.
Vintage 2023 resulted in complex whites and vibrant red wines with lovely structure, ripe tannins and lower alcohol.
Jacinta Jenkins
Balnaves of Coonawarra
May 2023