Another first for Crawford River. During vintage 2011, a late wet season saw botrytis starting to develop in part of our Riesling vineyard and we were inspired by the concept of creating a dry wine from fruit partially affected by botrytis. Picked with about 70% early-stage botrytis, the wine provides a delightful juxtaposition of floral and savoury characters; more, perhaps, than we could have dreamed of creating. Once again, we have waited patiently for its blossoming and feel that we have been well rewarded.
Delicate orange blossom and elderflower couple with lifted slate/mineral notes and fresh lime marmalade on the nose and follow through to the palate, together with guava, grapefruit (both flesh and pith) and botrytic hints of dried apricots. Yet amongst all these fruit forward elements, the wine has an undeniably savoury seam showing mace, ginger and allspice, all woven together with an underlying, earthy spine. Balanced and well-structured, this bone dry wine will reward further cellaring. Screwcap $35 |