Tasting the 2023 vintage

Coonawarra vignerons test more than 100 wines in a post-vintage tasting

The Coonawarra Wine industry, together with other representatives from of the Limestone Coast Wine Region, have gathered to undertake a ‘post vintage tasting’ of over 100 wines from the 2023 Vintage.

Wine bottles lined the tables of the Coonawarra Hall on Wednesday 7th June, as winemakers and production staff alike, revealed their offerings in an opportunity to gain a view of the 2023 vintage from across the region.

Bruce Gregory, Senior Winemaker for Majella Wines, has been involved with hosting the Post Vintage tasting for quite a few years, and was very impressed with the samples that had been submitted for tasting from producers across the region.

“There is no shortage of variety in the bottles presented, from light whites to robust reds. To some extent many of the wines are in an unfinished condition, however, the tasting is by no means a wine show.”

“It’s an opportunity for our winemaking community to see and hear what the season has delivered, with producers able to get a view of the quality of the 2023 Vintage from a range of style perspectives”, Gregory said.

According to the Coonawarra Vignerons 2023 Vintage report, viticulturists and winemakers were confronted with less than perfect conditions come harvest time, labelling it a ‘tricky’ vintage.

Dan Redman, President of the Coonawarra Vignerons, acknowledged that whist there were some challenges in the vineyard, this first look at the wines coming from the 2023 vintage are very pleasing.

“Cabernet grapes required careful monitoring of the vineyards where speed and agility got the best results and although lower in yield, the Cabernet that was picked looks very good.”

“Already in this room it can be observed that there are some very good quality white wines, along with equally high quality red wines of the finer style to be released from the 2023 vintage.

“The wines will have a slightly lower baume (13-14) of previous years, reminiscent of the outstanding 1990s Coonawarra wines,” said Redman.

Balnaves of Coonawarra Winemaker Jacinta Jenkins commented on the richness of colour and flavours that can be observed from the most recent vintage.

“The red wines have brilliant purple colours and dark blackberry blueberry and mulberry fruits with a cooler vintage look. Already these wines are displaying great elegance and will be very approachable.”

“I am particularly pleased with our Chardonnay. It displays refined varietal characteristics with zippy and fresh crispness and natural acidity,” Ms Jenkins said.

Paul Gordon Senior Winemaker at Leconfield Wines and coconvenor of the Post Vintage tasting is equally impressed with the wines of the 2023 Vintage.

“Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were the standout red varieties for Leconfield, and I note these varietals across the region I have tasted are also displaying elegance and structure.”

“As a region I think we can be very pleased with what is being produced. It’s looking to be a fabulous vintage. Irrespective of the challenges of this vintage, there is no doubting that there are some very strong wines – wines which will be in high demand when they are released and have incredible cellaring potential,” remarked Gordon.

The Coonawarra Vignerons 2023 Vintage report is available to view online at https://coonawarra.org/about/vintage-reports/

CELEBRATING VINTAGE: Luke Broadbent – Usual Suspects Collective, Dimity Savage – Parker Estate and Emma Bowen – Bowen Estateand (above from top) Katnook Winemaking Crew at the Post Vintage Tasting & Senior Winemakers Bruce Gregory (Majella) and Paul Gordon (Leconfield Coonawarra) coordinated the annual Post Vintage tasting