Vintage 2024 had some fluctuating weather through the growing season, with cool weather during flowering resulting in lower yields. The lead up to vintage was mild, and apart from a warm weekend in mid-March, vintage was cool and dry, allowing for gradual tannin development.
Starting the trend of the season of most blocks being picked 2-3 weeks earlier than usual, our two Chardonnay blocks were picked at 12.5 Be on the 16th and 26th of February. The Chardonnay in 2024 has intensity of flavour and will be a complex and driven wine. In mid-March we picked Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, as well as some earlier Cabernet Sauvignon parcels. Our premium Cabernet was picked on 22 March, with young vine Petit Verdot the last pick on the 8 April.
Merlot and Cabernet Franc are showing vibrant red hues and lifted red fruit, these will be excellent blending components for The Blend and the Cabernet Merlot. Our Shiraz has a lovely, perfumed nose and medium bodied plum and red cherry. The Cabernet parcels have round tannins and did not require such a long extended maceration on skins. They are elegant and precise with balanced fruit intensity and plush tannin.
We are very happy with quality of the 2024 wines, which are reminiscent of the great 2004 vintage and will look vibrant as young wines but will also age beautifully for years to come.
Jacinta Jenkins
Balnaves of Coonawarra
June 2024