Release of Australian vintages

[MontereyRick]

Why is it that Australian 2001 Cabs are already on the market and in the US the 2000's are just showing up?

I realize that when it is winter here it is summer there and vice versa, but that would only explain about a 6 month difference. In other words, I wouldn't question if Australia's 2000's were released 6 months ahead of our 2000's, but it seems as though Australias 2001's hit the shelves even before the majority of US 2000's. Do they bottle sooner? Put them in oak barrells for shorter periods?

What's the deal?