2006 Australia Vintage

The 2006 season across most of Australia opened with a wet winter, followed by a warm and damp spring and a mild summer. These conditions supported steady ripening and contributed to an earlier-than-normal harvest. Most regions picked 2 to 3 weeks ahead of schedule, and lower yields across the board, down 25% nationally, drove concentrated, flavour-rich fruit. Western Australia stood apart, enduring one of its coolest summers on record, which caused difficulties in achieving full ripeness and resulted in reduced overall quality compared to the rest of the country.

• Wet winter, warm damp spring, and mild summer defined the season in most regions
• Harvest arrived 2 to 3 weeks earlier than usual across the majority of Australia
• Overall yields fell 25%, concentrating flavours in the resulting wines
• Western Australia had one of its coolest summers on record, impacting ripening

South Australia was the undisputed star of the 2006 vintage. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, and Coonawarra all produced excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blends, with Clare Valley earning an exceptional vintage rating and Coonawarra showing outstanding consistency across all varieties. Tasmania had an exceptional year in every one of its regions, as did the Yarra Valley, with both producing beautiful Pinot Noir. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay were also standout varieties nationally, rounding out an impressive portfolio for the year.

• South Australia's Barossa, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, and Coonawarra all excelled in Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz
• Clare Valley earned an exceptional vintage classification for 2006
• Tasmania achieved exceptional results across all of its regions
• Yarra Valley and Tasmania both produced beautiful Pinot Noir

Wines from 2006 are characterised by full ripeness, good tannic structure, and well-developed flavours. The combination of a mild growing season and reduced yields produced reds of intensity and refinement, particularly from South Australia, with the ageing capacity to reward patience. Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon were the standout red varieties, while Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay led the way among whites. Pinot Noir from Tasmania and the Yarra Valley showed particular elegance and quality.

• Fully ripe wines with good tannic structure and well-developed flavours
• South Australian reds are intense and refined, with genuine ageing potential
• Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon were standout red varieties nationally
• Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay were standout white varieties

A wide range of producers across South Australia and Victoria delivered exceptional results in 2006. Names from the Barossa Valley including Torbreck, John Duval Wines, Kilikanoon, Elderton, and Peter Lehmann Wines were well positioned to capitalise on the vintage's strengths. McLaren Vale's Wirra Wirra Vineyards and Jim Barry in Clare Valley also feature prominently. In Victoria, Jasper Hill and Yarra Yering made the most of excellent growing conditions. Tyrells, Margan Family, and McGuigan represented New South Wales, while Jacob's Creek and Smith and Hooper rounded out a broad field of quality producers.

• Torbreck, John Duval Wines, and Kilikanoon capitalised on outstanding Barossa conditions
• Jasper Hill and Yarra Yering delivered quality results from Victoria
• Wirra Wirra Vineyards and Jim Barry excelled in McLaren Vale and Clare Valley respectively
• Jacob's Creek and Peter Lehmann Wines offered quality at scale