McLaren Vale

El Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole effects contributed to dry, windy conditions. Cool autumn temperatures preserved acidity and balance.

A challenging season that allowed winemaker skills to shine. Cool, wet conditions during ripening produced elegant wines that express terroir.

Ranks right up there for quality with intense, rich, and balanced flavours and colours. Mild summer without heatwave conditions, with no days above 40C in January-February.

Heralded by the local wine community as one of the best of the 21st century. Higher yields than recent seasons with wines of exceptional density, colour, and tannin structure.

Third year in a row of lower yields, by as much as 50%, but quality is high. Small crop produced concentrated, aromatic Shiraz with good depth and structure.

Dramatically limited yields due to hot, dry conditions produced concentrated wines of real intensity. The best Shiraz and old-vine Grenache show excellent depth and varietal expression.

Yields were down but quality is high. Richer wines with saturated colour, blueberry and blackberry aromas, and well-integrated tannins.

Cool, wet vintage produced soft, aromatic, and elegant wines. Shiraz shows lovely structure and freshness rather than power.

May well go down as one of the great McLaren Vale vintages in recent memory. Generous yields in a standout year.

Frost and wildfires shrank yields but the wines show plenty of intensity. Concentrated Shiraz and Grenache with firm tannins and impressive depth.

Variable conditions produced a range from modest to great. The best Shiraz is flavourful and vivid, but careful selection is needed.

Heat waves in February shortened the season. Shiraz shows good concentration but some wines lack nuance.

Low yields, mild weather, and excellent harvest conditions. Outstanding Shiraz with deep colour, complex aromatics, and fine tannins.

Winter rains broke a long drought, yielding balanced wines with intense flavours at lower alcohol. Elegant Shiraz with lovely purity.

Despite March heat waves, some great wines were produced. Highly variable vintage where the best producers navigated conditions to make wines of real quality.

Mostly beautiful, balanced Shiraz with clear, pure flavours. Good depth and fine tannins, though some wines lack the punch of the very best vintages.

Ideal weather made balanced, generous Shiraz and Grenache. Deep colour, ripe tannins, and extraordinary fruit purity.

Graceful wines with clear, pure flavours and open textures. Cool conditions produced Shiraz and Grenache of elegance rather than power.

A stunner despite lower than average yields. South Australia's coolest summer on record produced Shiraz with great colour, structured tannins, and well-balanced flavours.

Hot vintage made the best wines fabulous, with exceptional richness and generosity. Lesser wines can be overblown, but top Shiraz shows depth and power.