C R A W F O R D R I V E R
Henty, Victoria
Winemaker: Belinda Thomson
www.crawfordriverwines.com
Crawford River was established and planted in 1975 by John and Catherine Thomson, in far south-west Victoria. They were inspired by its potential to produce superior quality grapes after researching & experiencing many grape growing areas of the world. It was a relatively unexplored wine growing region and indeed remains merely a blot on the canvas. Although the area is now known as the GI of Henty.
Presiding over gently undulating grazing lands with sprawling forests in the distance, Crawford River has paved the way for the industry in what is traditionally a wool, beef and dairy region. The winery atop the hill and the vineyard hugging the slope nestle in the midst of a large sheep and cattle station that John’s great-grandfather settled in 1884.
Since the initial plantings in the mid 1970´s, there have been 2 more small plantings. Believing in the fine quality of the Semillon included in the original plantings, John and Catherine added another 0.7 Ha of the variety in the early 1990´s.
In 2000, another block of Riesling & Cabernet was added, which now produces the Young Vines Riesling & Rose wines. The cool southerly latitude together with the maritime environment, complex soil structure and favourable micro-climate create a terroir which has justified the initial vision.
Belinda Thomson, elder daughter of John and Catherine, returned home at the end of 2004 after completing her studies in Oenology and Viticulture and pursuing several vintages in various European locations. Between 2008 and 2014, Belinda divided her time between Spain and Australia, returning for the winemaking season each year and the all important blending. As of 2014 she has found her way home to be dedicated full time to the family team.
In August 2010, Fiona Thomson, younger daughter, joined the team in the role of sales and marketing.
Presiding over gently undulating grazing lands with sprawling forests in the distance, Crawford River has paved the way for the industry in what is traditionally a wool, beef and dairy region. The winery atop the hill and the vineyard hugging the slope nestle in the midst of a large sheep and cattle station that John’s great-grandfather settled in 1884.
Since the initial plantings in the mid 1970´s, there have been 2 more small plantings. Believing in the fine quality of the Semillon included in the original plantings, John and Catherine added another 0.7 Ha of the variety in the early 1990´s.
In 2000, another block of Riesling & Cabernet was added, which now produces the Young Vines Riesling & Rose wines. The cool southerly latitude together with the maritime environment, complex soil structure and favourable micro-climate create a terroir which has justified the initial vision.
Belinda Thomson, elder daughter of John and Catherine, returned home at the end of 2004 after completing her studies in Oenology and Viticulture and pursuing several vintages in various European locations. Between 2008 and 2014, Belinda divided her time between Spain and Australia, returning for the winemaking season each year and the all important blending. As of 2014 she has found her way home to be dedicated full time to the family team.
In August 2010, Fiona Thomson, younger daughter, joined the team in the role of sales and marketing.
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2019 Young Vines Riesling
NICK STOCK | JAMESSUCKLING.COM | 93 POINTS
This offers aromas of lime and lemon with attractive pithy and minerally edges. The palate has a fleshy, smooth, white-peach and lemon core with acidity drawing good length. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
MIKE BENNIE | THE WINE FRONT | 94 POINTS
It was the summery thirst quencher I couldn’t stop thinking about on the way back from the beach, today. All lemon-lime, sweet green apple, tart acidity, clip of chalky pucker, refreshment factor through the roof, barely there stickiness of Riesling fruit and a faint lick of kero or wet hay or something slightly savoury-waxy. Such a treat. Such a good Riesling.
NICK STOCK | JAMESSUCKLING.COM | 93 POINTS
This offers aromas of lime and lemon with attractive pithy and minerally edges. The palate has a fleshy, smooth, white-peach and lemon core with acidity drawing good length. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
MIKE BENNIE | THE WINE FRONT | 94 POINTS
It was the summery thirst quencher I couldn’t stop thinking about on the way back from the beach, today. All lemon-lime, sweet green apple, tart acidity, clip of chalky pucker, refreshment factor through the roof, barely there stickiness of Riesling fruit and a faint lick of kero or wet hay or something slightly savoury-waxy. Such a treat. Such a good Riesling.
2019 Riesling
NICK STOCK | JAMESSUCKLING.COM | 95 POINTS
Very vivid lemon and lime notes with juice, pith and peel, as well as white peach and some gently herbal notes, too. The palate is smoothly refined, seamless and long with interlaced peach and citrus flavors that hold very long. Concentrated fruit drive here.
NICK STOCK | JAMESSUCKLING.COM | 95 POINTS
Very vivid lemon and lime notes with juice, pith and peel, as well as white peach and some gently herbal notes, too. The palate is smoothly refined, seamless and long with interlaced peach and citrus flavors that hold very long. Concentrated fruit drive here.
2014 Riesling Museum Release - New release
The beautiful aromatic qualities of this wine shine forth after a moment or two lingering in the glass. Stone-like mineral elements combine with ripe grapefruit, white florals and citrus curd on the nose and front palate. These aspects flow and develop throughout the palate, with soft, supple acidity creating delineation and persistence. This wine is incredibly youthful, still tinged with hints of green and showing no signs of tiring. As it continues to open in the glass, nuances of spice and chalky texture further enhance the complexity of the palate, creating an utterly delectable drink. Screwcap.
Bottled September 2014.
2010 Riesling Serendipitous Selection
This wine was such an unanticipated pleasure to make. Golden to the eye, with tinges of youth, this wine will surely continue to age magnificently. Intoxicating aromas of citrus zest, along with toasted cashew on the nose coupled with scented blossom & minerality. Citrus is front and centre, kumquat/mandarin with white grape fruit, a hint of yellow stone fruit interwoven through the complex, savoury layered palate. Mineral quality shines throughout, with chalky texture from start to finish helping shape the densely textured palate. The fine, ever present acidity draws a line from the luscious mid palate to the incredibly persistent finish.
2008 Riesling Reserve
Still fresh and bright, showing hints of pale green belying its age. Lime curd and notes of red apple together with macadamia nut suggest some maturity, while fresh green melon, oyster shell and floral notes portray the wines youthful elements - which abound. A delicate, pithy quality on the mid palate helps shape the textural integrity, with bright, beautifully integrated acidity aiding the seamless structure. Portraying generous fruit weight and palate depth, the wine has great drive and definition. Silky, supple and long this wine has years ahead, though drinks like a dream right now.
2017 Beta Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon
Macadamia nut, river stone and hints of delicate lime are the invitation to this delicious wine. A wonderful, fresh opulence is present on the front palate, at once counteracted by a taut, mineral quality and supple, textural layers, enhanced by lees and oak. It shows terrific balance, defined by seamless natural acid, deft use of oak and superbly integrated lees treatment, all of which lend terrific drinkability and potential for cellaring. The lovely line of acid is evident throughout the palate and a little air will enhance the complex structure. Long and even and will no doubt reward some cellaring. 100% Whole bunch pressed to tank with no additions, chilled and racked the next day to barrel. No additions are made to this juice which is left to naturally ferment in its own time. It spends around 11 months in majority older oak, after which it is blended to tank where it spends another 6 months settling – and perhaps undergoing some malolactic fermentation if it feels like it. Belinda thinks there is a terrific balance of fruit, texture and oak – which she thinks must be present, without being overt.
2017 Cabernet / Merlot (70% Cabernet Sauvignon / 30% Cabernet Franc)
Juicy Mulberry and crunchy cherry are the frontrunners here, together with underlying cassia bark and spice. Seamless integration of soft tannin and fruit, with a taut line of acidity pulling it all together beautifully. While the underlying savoury elements typical of our vineyard shine, they are encased in a medium frame with ripe fruit underpinning the lingering palate. Absolutely delicious drinking. Screwcap. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon / 30% Cabernet Franc
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Intensely perfumed with cherries, dark plum, mulberry, spices and dark chocolate, this wine is captivating from the outset. The red & black fruits shine throughout the palate and it is balanced with elegant, fine tannins and complimentary oak. The graphite-like quality of the ironstone that these vines have their roots in is evident along with the other mineral elements so often seen in our wines. Wonderfully even and long, the natural acidity lends balance and terrific persistence. It will surely continue to develop well in bottle and will benefit from decanting in the early years of its life.
Diam closure.
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Museum Release (95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc & Merlot)
This wine is aging beautifully. Red & black fruits, cedar wood and bay leaf are the predominant characters of this soft, complex wine. Still fresh and bright, with blackberry and black olive evident throughout the palate along with hints of liquorice. Integrated acidity aids the well-balanced structure and together with fine grained tannins results in excellent persistence. Should continue to age gracefully for some time.
2017 Nektar Riesling - Residual Sugar: 152gms
A very elegant expression of our Nektar. A beautiful, fine line of pure citrus elements alongside the typical dried apricot and kumquat marmalade that speak of the natural botrytis present in this wine. Delicate lime flowers, together with lemon curd and subtle, pithy qualities create a divine juxtaposition between sweet and savoury notes, which elicit complexity and sophistication. The varying, unctuous qualities are underpinned by a taut line of acidity which drives the palate, creating freshness and definition, counteracting any potential for cloying on what is a fabulous, long finish. Superb now, this wine will continue to age for a number of years to come.
The beautiful aromatic qualities of this wine shine forth after a moment or two lingering in the glass. Stone-like mineral elements combine with ripe grapefruit, white florals and citrus curd on the nose and front palate. These aspects flow and develop throughout the palate, with soft, supple acidity creating delineation and persistence. This wine is incredibly youthful, still tinged with hints of green and showing no signs of tiring. As it continues to open in the glass, nuances of spice and chalky texture further enhance the complexity of the palate, creating an utterly delectable drink. Screwcap.
Bottled September 2014.
2010 Riesling Serendipitous Selection
This wine was such an unanticipated pleasure to make. Golden to the eye, with tinges of youth, this wine will surely continue to age magnificently. Intoxicating aromas of citrus zest, along with toasted cashew on the nose coupled with scented blossom & minerality. Citrus is front and centre, kumquat/mandarin with white grape fruit, a hint of yellow stone fruit interwoven through the complex, savoury layered palate. Mineral quality shines throughout, with chalky texture from start to finish helping shape the densely textured palate. The fine, ever present acidity draws a line from the luscious mid palate to the incredibly persistent finish.
2008 Riesling Reserve
Still fresh and bright, showing hints of pale green belying its age. Lime curd and notes of red apple together with macadamia nut suggest some maturity, while fresh green melon, oyster shell and floral notes portray the wines youthful elements - which abound. A delicate, pithy quality on the mid palate helps shape the textural integrity, with bright, beautifully integrated acidity aiding the seamless structure. Portraying generous fruit weight and palate depth, the wine has great drive and definition. Silky, supple and long this wine has years ahead, though drinks like a dream right now.
2017 Beta Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon
Macadamia nut, river stone and hints of delicate lime are the invitation to this delicious wine. A wonderful, fresh opulence is present on the front palate, at once counteracted by a taut, mineral quality and supple, textural layers, enhanced by lees and oak. It shows terrific balance, defined by seamless natural acid, deft use of oak and superbly integrated lees treatment, all of which lend terrific drinkability and potential for cellaring. The lovely line of acid is evident throughout the palate and a little air will enhance the complex structure. Long and even and will no doubt reward some cellaring. 100% Whole bunch pressed to tank with no additions, chilled and racked the next day to barrel. No additions are made to this juice which is left to naturally ferment in its own time. It spends around 11 months in majority older oak, after which it is blended to tank where it spends another 6 months settling – and perhaps undergoing some malolactic fermentation if it feels like it. Belinda thinks there is a terrific balance of fruit, texture and oak – which she thinks must be present, without being overt.
2017 Cabernet / Merlot (70% Cabernet Sauvignon / 30% Cabernet Franc)
Juicy Mulberry and crunchy cherry are the frontrunners here, together with underlying cassia bark and spice. Seamless integration of soft tannin and fruit, with a taut line of acidity pulling it all together beautifully. While the underlying savoury elements typical of our vineyard shine, they are encased in a medium frame with ripe fruit underpinning the lingering palate. Absolutely delicious drinking. Screwcap. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon / 30% Cabernet Franc
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Intensely perfumed with cherries, dark plum, mulberry, spices and dark chocolate, this wine is captivating from the outset. The red & black fruits shine throughout the palate and it is balanced with elegant, fine tannins and complimentary oak. The graphite-like quality of the ironstone that these vines have their roots in is evident along with the other mineral elements so often seen in our wines. Wonderfully even and long, the natural acidity lends balance and terrific persistence. It will surely continue to develop well in bottle and will benefit from decanting in the early years of its life.
Diam closure.
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Museum Release (95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc & Merlot)
This wine is aging beautifully. Red & black fruits, cedar wood and bay leaf are the predominant characters of this soft, complex wine. Still fresh and bright, with blackberry and black olive evident throughout the palate along with hints of liquorice. Integrated acidity aids the well-balanced structure and together with fine grained tannins results in excellent persistence. Should continue to age gracefully for some time.
2017 Nektar Riesling - Residual Sugar: 152gms
A very elegant expression of our Nektar. A beautiful, fine line of pure citrus elements alongside the typical dried apricot and kumquat marmalade that speak of the natural botrytis present in this wine. Delicate lime flowers, together with lemon curd and subtle, pithy qualities create a divine juxtaposition between sweet and savoury notes, which elicit complexity and sophistication. The varying, unctuous qualities are underpinned by a taut line of acidity which drives the palate, creating freshness and definition, counteracting any potential for cloying on what is a fabulous, long finish. Superb now, this wine will continue to age for a number of years to come.
