1988 Australia

A generally very good vintage in South Australia. Concentrated Shiraz dominated wines from the Barossa Valley were produced and the Coonawara-Cabernet Sauvignons were also very good. A very successful year in Victoria resulting in deeply coloured, rich and balanced wines. The best wines are from the Mornington Peninsula and the Yarra Valley.

In Western Australia, a burst of exceptionally hot and dry weather brought the harvest forward in all areas. However, the quality of the wines was affected by the subsequent wind, rain and hail that followed in mid-harvest. All wines should have been consumed by now.