2012 – all is well and good so far
30. November 2012 | 09:00
Muscat at the end
We finished harvest near the end of November with the last grapes from our Muscat (Muskateller) vineyards. As is the case with all late and selectively harvested (“ausgelesenen”) grapes, the bad grapes were dropped, whereas partly botrytised grapes and those 100% healthy were brought in separately (each in small colour-coded harvest boxes). Only after both finish fermenting, will we see whether we will opt for an Auslese or for a dry Novemberlese or for both. The suspense continues. The wonderful quality of the grapes has to be
preserved throughout their transformation into wine.
While the Reserves are still lively bubbling in their barrels, we may finally take a break and summarize this vintage 2012:
After a cool winter we were happy to see an early sprouting, promising a long vegetation period and therefore good ripeness. Then many of us were shocked by the late spring frost. Fortunately we got away with minimal losses. Summer was warm and perhaps not as dry as the year before, accelerating ripeness and permitting an early start to the harvest. Weather in autumn was very favorable with warm and sunny days and cool nights that often seem responsible for a special aromatic expression in the grapes. Tiny amounts of rain were easily consumed by the otherwise dry soil and might have enhanced quality instead of putting a danger to the health of the fruit. Yes, it seems somehow comparable to 2011, cooler than in 2000 or 2003 and warmer than 2001, 2004, 2008 or 2010. We really expect a lot of fun from 2012 although quantity could have been bigger.
Sparkling base wines show lightness and finesse, the first easier young wines have good extraction and boast of fruit and freshness. However, it seems to us a year of great white Kamptal Reserves and wonderful red wines. Chardonnay too gives hope for a world-class vintage!
