2002 Australian Vintage

Rainfall was low in 2002, with a cool spring and summer and a mild autumn. Winter rainfall was average, the cool spring and summer were reportedly among the lowest on record, and a warm, dry autumn ripened grapes to perfection. In Coonawarra, spring and summer ran more than 2 C cooler than average, which delayed flowering and significantly reduced fruitset. April there was 1.8 C above average with bright sunshine and little rain, and harvest finished a few weeks later than usual, with the last grapes picked on 16 May. The Barossa had an unusually cool summer and a gentle autumn, and January rains maintained subsoil moisture.

The 2002 crush of 1.65 million tonnes was a record and 19% above 2001. Under normal seasonal conditions the industry would have expected around 1.58 million tonnes, so vineyard yields were up on average about 5%. Shiraz rose 43% to 445,000 tonnes and Merlot 31% to 105,000 tonnes. Pinot Noir, grown almost exclusively in cool climates, fell 32% to 20,000 tonnes.

• Crush of 1.65 million tonnes, up 19% on 2001
• Shiraz 445,000 tonnes (up 43%); Merlot 105,000 tonnes (up 31%)

Winetitles' Barossa report called 2002 one of the mildest and best quality vintages for the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley. Barossa Valley red yields were down 10 to 15%, while Semillon yielded more than 50% above average in many vineyards. In Eden Valley, early fruitset problems reduced Riesling yields, in some cases to 10% below average. In Coonawarra, the low yields came from fewer and smaller berries per bunch rather than fewer bunches, and white varieties were less affected than reds.

• Barossa Valley: red yields down 10 to 15%
• Eden Valley: Riesling yields in some cases 10% below average

According to the WFA, the majority of wineries reported exceptional quality. Decanter rated red Australia 4/5, describing elegant wines with a good balance of natural acidity and fruit, and named Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir the best performing varieties, with Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Margaret River among its best appellations. It quoted Southcorp winemaker Philip Shaw: "Varietal definition and refined flavours will be a hallmark of the 2002 vintage." Winetitles described exceptional Barossa Valley Shiraz, with most winemakers predicting the intensity and fruit definition of 1998 with a more elegant structure, and many Eden Valley winemakers expecting the best Rieslings in more than a decade.

• Decanter: 4/5 for red Australia; best varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir