What we saw in 2012 was a damp ripening period with several rain periods in the Hills throughout the vintage. These wet periods were short and punctuated with good cool dry weather. Usually two significant rain periods after berry softening is enough to wreck a perfectly good crop of grapes. However, cooler than usual weather and smaller than usual crops (by up to 70%) for this time of year meant that disease didn't really get a foot hold and the fruit was able to hold on to some spectacular concentration. The second of two years of reduced crops in Australia has seen the wine lake (especially of anything decent) dried out. Bulk wine sales are buoyant yet branded Australian wine sales are dogged by cheap imports of European piss. My recommendation to you, if you are a serious wine collector is to source, and source early your favourite producers offering from 2012. This will be a vintage that sees some producers go to the wall because of uneconomic vineyard conditions and others cement themselves as true forces in the future of the highest quality sector.
From Mike Sparrows Vineyard this year we are making, for our Red, a blend of Nebbiolo and Sangiovese which is macerating on skins and will continue to do so for some time to come. There are 60 cases of lovely Pinot Gris and 15 cases of a beautiful Dolcetto Rose. Stay tuned for the release of these wines which we will be offering at $90/mixed, six bottle case this year.
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