2010 Australian Vintage

The 2010 season ran from winter and spring 2009 through a harvest that ran from January to early May 2010 across the regions covered here. The Barossa had its best rainfall in five years during the winter and spring of 2009, and Coonawarra's winter rainfall was above average, giving good soil moisture for budburst in early spring. In the Barossa an early budburst was followed by slow growth in cool, wet weather, and wind and hail damaged some early shoots in isolated pockets. In November much of South Australia had a protracted hot spell. A nine-day Barossa heat event in early November, peaking at 41.5 C, coincided with flowering in some early varieties and caused shatter and low fruitset, worst in Chardonnay and Grenache; most Coonawarra vineyards were spared. A heat wave hit McLaren Vale during flowering, and Rutherglen had frosts in late September and early October. The Yarra Valley was warmer than long-term averages, and rain and humidity close to harvest brought conditions for downy mildew. Barossa vintage began in January, only slightly earlier than average; Coonawarra's harvest began about 10 days earlier than usual and was complete by the first week of May. Nationally, the WFA estimated the 2010 winegrape crush at 1.53 million tonnes, a 12% decrease on 2009's 1.73 million tonnes and below the five-year average of 1.68 million tonnes. Yields were generally below average in Coonawarra and close to average in the Yarra Valley.

• Barossa: best winter and spring rainfall in five years; Coonawarra winter rainfall above average
• Early November heat: shatter and low fruitset in Barossa Chardonnay and Grenache
• Rutherglen: frosts in late September and early October
• Harvest began about 10 days early in Coonawarra and slightly early in the Barossa

Budbreak was earlier than normal in McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills, with mild temperatures and cool nights during ripening, and the Barossa had a low crop set for Grenache, Chardonnay and Viognier. Barossa Valley Chardonnay and Grenache crops were generally very poor, while Shiraz produced reasonable yields. Kym Tolley of Penley told Wine Spectator he considers 2010 a "classic" Coonawarra vintage. On the western coast, winemakers dealt with intense heat and then rain during harvest.

• McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills: earlier budbreak, cool nights during ripening
• Barossa Valley: very poor Chardonnay and Grenache crops; Shiraz yields reasonable
• Western coast: intense heat, then rain during harvest

The Winetitles Barossa vintage report called 2010 an exceptional year for the Barossa, with excellent quality particularly for Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The Winetitles Yarra Valley vintage report named Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc the standouts. Sparky Marquis of Mollydooker told Wine Spectator: "2010 is going to have a finer tannin structure because [the growing season] was so even."

• Barossa Valley: the Winetitles report said Semillon could be showing its best and purest varietal expression for some years
• Coonawarra: the regional vintage report singled out Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc among the whites