Rosemount Estate - Langhorne Creek Vintage Guide

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Vintage Guide

Langhorne Creek Vintage Guide

2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993

2004 Vintage

Not currently available.

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2003 Vintage

Early vintage rains had minimal effect with vines recovering quickly.
A successful year for red wines with concentrated flavours and pronounced blocky tannins.

The Langhorne Creek area experienced similar conditions to its neighbour, McLaren Vale, throughout the 2003 vintage although the late February rains were less of a factor. The harvest itself began in fine conditions in the last week of February, which was slightly later than McLaren Vale.

Langhorne Creek in general enjoys deep rich soils that retained good moisture levels throughout the drought. This assisted the vines in generating substantial canopies which shielded the bunches from the summer sun. Rosemount Estate winemaker, Charles Whish reported, "Yields in 2003 are lower than average but this has assisted the vines in producing the richly flavoured wines with red berry flavours and chocolate flavours coupled with the pronounced blocky tannins that Langhorne Creek is capable of in the best years. This fruit will be a key component in Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Shiraz as well as providing depth to wines such as Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Shiraz and Rosemount Estate.

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2002 Vintage

Langhorne Creek experienced similar conditions to its neighbour, McLaren Vale, with regular rains throughout winter and an early spring providing healthy vine growth. Low temperatures and rain disrupted flowering before improving to a cool summer and a warmer than average autumn.

The increasing maturity of the vines and low yields combined to produce a crop that bears testimony to the potential of Langhorne Creek to produce fruit of the highest calibre.

Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon were both excellent with ripe flavours and clear varietal character. Rosemount Winemaker Charles Whish enthused that "the wines have a real concentration and density on the palate".

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2001 Vintage

After good winter rains, spring was dry and cool and the vines put on vigorous growth. The abundant leaf cover helped vines protect their fruit and avoid sunburn in the searing summer heat.

The whites were overall of good quality. Shiraz was the standout red wine, with the Rosemount Vineyard producing some very good shiraz for Diamond Label.

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