Crawford River Strata Riesling 2023

Description

Crawford River wines from Henty in South Western Victoria are crafted exclusively from hand-picked and selected fruit grown at their estate vineyard, whereupon they are vinified and bottled on site. The fruit is brought to the winery in small parcels, where meticulous attention is paid to detail. Patience and time are of the essence in their winery.

James Halliday on Crawford River: ” ..  is ideally suited to the growing and making of diamond-like rieslings of towering longevity … My love affair with Crawford River Riesling began many years ago, and burns as brightly today as it did when I first tasted it.”

In 2000/2001, more Riesling was planted at the western border of the original plantings. While the very top of this block tends to the ironstone rich, gravelly ridge, much of the block shows a prevalence toward a rich, loam soil over its limestone feet. These factors, coupled with a multitude of influences, microclimactic and otherwise, yield an expression quite different to our original blocks. The wines originating from our loam dominant soils tend to be more open and expressive, particularly as younger wines.

As is often the case in delicate years, this fruit was 100% whole bunch pressed to allow some additional flavour extraction in the press. Fermentation was a combination of spontaneous and inoculated yeasts and took place mostly in stainless steel. The very small percentage undertaken exclusively in old oak, serves to aid the texture and mouthfeel of the wine via the nature of interaction with the lees.

About the vintage from the winemaker: ““It has always fascinated me how the vineyard ‘wins in the end’, as my father often reminded me. In spite of seasonal conditions, given careful and astute handling in the winery, the wine typically evolves to reflect the site on which it is gown, regardless of the year. The Vigneron in me has always appreciated this philosophy. 2023 was a difficult growing year, but this wine shows true colours, with spice, a rounded mid palate and a distinct Crawford River stamp.” Belinda Thomson, Vigneron

Citrus leaning towards the Myer lemon and Clementine spectrum are the driving forces here. There is ginger spice, sherbet and red apple skin, almost in equal measure, with lime lingering in the background. A lovely round palate, with soft textural elements that bely the cool year and shine throughout. Supple and even, the back palate has plenty of dried, mountain herbs, which add a savoury edge and freshness to the generous, long finish.

Newly arrived 2023 vintage .. review for 2022: 95 points, Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Wine Companion “This is the wine formerly known as Young Vines, which is grown on vines planted in 2001. This release is both textural and intense. The mouthfeel has a squeakiness, the fruit is pure and open, and for all its citrusy, crushed fennel, open-weave flourishes the flavours still manage to extend beautifully through the finish. “

RRP $43  Our Special Price $37.50 when you buy 6 or more of this wine