Vintages South Africa

Question 1

What years in South Africa spanned the recent drought?

Answer 1

2015 - 2018

2019 (aftershock of 2018) - drought suppressed volume - tiny yields - good overall

2018 - Drought led to high CONCENTRATION in the berries

2017 - Drought - CONCENTRATION

2016 - HOT and DRY - some SUN BURNT berries in Stellenbosch

2015 - Early, dry season with PURE and RICH wines - Great

Question 2

What are the best recent vintages for South Africa?

Answer 2

2021 - Long, cool season - FAIRYTALE vintage

2015 - Early, dry season with PURE and RICH wines - Great

2009 - compressed harvest, but GREAT flavor INTENSITY

Question 3

What are the worst recent vintages for South Africa?

Answer 3

2014 - Challenged by RAIN - LIGHT wines

2010 - cold, rain, and wind created VARIABLE ripening - some MILDEW

2008 - cool, wet year with late heat spikes - LIGHT wines

Question 4

How was the 2022 and 2020 vintage for South Africa?

Answer 4

2022 - Cold and wet start, high yields, heat spike and then cool fall - GOOD quality

2020 - moderate to warm and dry with scattered rain - FRESH whites, SUPPLE reds

Question 5

How were 2012 and 2013 for South Africa?

Answer 5

2013 - Large crop with some humidity pressure - CLASSIC wines

2012 - Dry, easy harvest - FLESHY, midweight wines

Question 6

How were 2011 and 2009 in South Africa?

Answer 6

2011 - drought - CONCENTRATION

2009 - compressed harvest, but GREAT flavor INTENSITY

Question 7

How were 2010 and 2008 in South Africa?

Answer 7

2010 - cold, rain, and wind created VARIABLE ripening - some MILDEW

2008 - cool, wet year with late heat spikes - LIGHT wines

Question 8

How were 2007, 2006, and 2005 in South Africa?

Answer 8

2007 - RIPE and RICH

2006 - warm, dry FLESHY and FOCUSED

2005 - hot and dry - BIG, RICH wines