Vintage Brings “Exceptional Overall Quality”
With our fruit in the Hunter Valley now in and most Orange varieties also harvested, the winery is counting its blessings and reporting “exceptional overall quality”.
It’s a nice change for both regions after years of drought according to our new Hunter Valley Winemaker, Shannon Burgess-Moore.
“In the Hunter Valley there is some great quality across all wines this year, just less of it than expected,” Shannon outlined. “Orange has the white varieties harvested as well as much of the red also looking exceptionally good”.
“It has been an interesting year. Each vintage has its pros and cons, but this one is particularly different. It is really the first solid vintage for both regions after three years of drought.”
“Overall, the lead-up was good. Both regions saw some rain events that held off early ripening. The late rains did not impact the Hunter but have slowed up some late-ripening varieties on cooler sites in Orange.”
“The Hunter Valley experienced some cooler nights with cloudy days during early to mid-January which equated to higher-than-normal malic acid levels in the fruit. This is a welcome change compared to past seasons. Whites are more elegant overall.”
Raised on a Hunter vineyard, Shannon has been in the wine industry for more than 23 years. He started with Tamburlaine in November last year following years in the Hunter Valley and experience in both France and Canada.
Shannon is looking forward to bottling the 2021 whites and rosé and putting together the 2020 reds from both regions. He explained that working with a wide range of varieties and styles is a particular highlight of winemaking for Tamburlaine.
“We have already taken exciting new steps this vintage at Tamburlaine to produce Shiraz which accentuates fruit over tannin. This is an important step in building on the quality the Company has achieved from its 60+ year old vineyards, over its 35-year history of winemaking.”
“I’m looking forward to further refining our ‘No Added Sulphur’ range and working with the team on our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir styles in particular,” Shannon said.
“I’d have to describe my approach as expressive of region and style; maintaining high standards of winery hygiene with respect for traditional techniques to build extra complexity and quality.
“A winemaker is only as good as the grapes received and Tamburlaine’s organic vineyard have the runs on the board. Minimal intervention is always my goal.”
