The state of Australia 2011

Ask most Australian winemakers about their 2011 vintage, and a dark glower spreads across their features. After a decade of drought, 2011 may have finally heralded rain, but it brought with it a host of viticultural problems. A few regions were spared but in general enormous care and attention was needed to handle high disease pressure in the vineyard.

Evidently, some producers worked miracles to salvage quality from these grim grapes, based on the evidence tasted below. The notes follow a brief rundown of local conditions, divided by state.

NEW SOUTH WALES

The Hunter Valley had an abnormal season but...