The 2023 Queensland vintage
A dry November and December led to a delayed start to vintage in the Granite Belt wine region, while a late start to summer meant a much slower than usual ripening season for South Burnett.
After a wet start to spring in the Granite Belt, November and December then turned exceptionally dry, leading to a delayed start to vintage. Colour and flavour in the reds was exceptional; the standouts including shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo, sangiovese and saperavi. Expectations are high for exceptional wines with depth of colour and flavour.
Shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo, sangiovese and saperavi were the standout varietals from the 2023 vintage in the Granite Belt. Image credit: Wine Australia.
South Burnett had a reasonable amount of rain leading up to harvest and early budburst. A cooler than average spring and a later start to summer slowed down the ripening season considerably, around two to three weeks later than average. According to one winemaker, the tempranillo ‘looks stunning this year, as do many of the reds, even the Bordeaux varieties benefited from the slower growing season’. Verdelho and viognier are the pick of the whites from a vintage with excellent quality overall.
