Crawford River Riesling 2018

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."  James Halliday

Crawford River riesling needs little introduction. They are arguably the greatest Riesling producer in Victoria and, for many wine lovers, the greatest Riesling producer in Australia. The 2018 Crawford River Riesling is their 43rd release and another benchmark wine that will age superbly.

"Feel the velocity. Sheesh, this has some get up and go. It hits the turbo button on launch with a volume of concentrated citrus fruit and green apple flavours, intense, pulsing, pure and so damn tangy, whooshing across the palate in a laser beam of riesling tang. Complex, compelling, succulent and tight, almost grippy in texture, yes a bit chalky, and starbursts with fresh acidity to finish in the next township over. It's wicked drinking, shows us what quality, potent and detailed riesling looks like with time to go in cellar. It's so good."  Mike Bennie

"This wine is in its infancy and has a long life ahead of it.  Blossoms of lime and apple lift the nose, together with talc and delicate white stone fruit.  The front palate is soft and supple with fruit and blossom in equal measure, together with taut, mineral overtones.  The generosity of the introduction is followed by a fine, mineral-wrapped palate with polished texture and supple, natural acidity.  Layered and fine, the wine exudes confidence and finesse, while the poised, balance acidity lends terrific length to a wine that will surely age magnificently."  Crawford River

Expert reviews

"Crawford River wines always bring a smile to me dial. Such a good producer, unnervingly consistent, unique site and reflection in the wines, and geez, the quality aint hard to miss. The 'estate' riesling here. Feel the velocity. 

Sheesh, this has some get up and go. It hits the turbo button on launch with a volume of concentrated citrus fruit and green apple flavours, intense, pulsing, pure and so damn tangy, whooshing across the palate in a laser beam of riesling tang. Complex, compelling, succulent and tight, almost grippy in texture, yes a bit chalky, and starbursts with fresh acidity to finish in the next township over. It's wicked drinking, shows us what quality, potent and detailed riesling looks like with time to go in cellar. It's so good. Drink: 2020 - 2040."  Mike Bennie, The Wine Front - 95+ points

"Bright, light yellow colour with an intense, expressive aroma. The palate is likewise intense and power-packed, driving and long, with a note of pepper. Focused and tight, it has penetrating length and precision, the finish very resonant, dry and lip-smackingly savoury. There's a faint phenolic grip. Very dry and refreshing. This would be excellent with appetisers, and would age superbly. Drink 2019-2029."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review – 95 points

"From the '75-'77 planting, crushed and whole-bunch pressed, cool-fermented with cultured and wild yeast, 3 months on gross lees. The bouquet is a butterfly, moving from flower to flower so quickly it's hard to keep up with the citrus blossom, rose petal and wild flower only part of the story. The palate crystallises the citrus component with nerve-tingling acidity. Drink by 2033."  James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion - 95 points

"Henty is a great riesling region although there are few players. This is a cracker, boasting an intense, expressive bouquet, with a note of pepper. Tightly focused, it has penetrating power and precision, the finish very emphatic, dry and lingering. It will age superbly."  Gourmet Traveller Wine - 95 points  ★★★★★

About the winery

Belinda and John Thomson

In 1975, John and Catherine Thomson planted their vineyard at Crawford River, in far south-west Victoria, with Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. It was a relatively unexplored wine growing region, but they were inspired by its geographical and geological potential to produce superior quality grapes. The cool, southerly latitude together with the maritime influence, complex soil structure and favourable micro-climate create a terroir which has justified the initial vision. The area is now known as the Geographical Indication (GI) of Henty. 

More plantings followed in 1976 and 1977 and the addition of a winery in 1981. Two further small plantings occurred in 1994 and 2001, however, they are now in the phase of replanting to ensure the longevity and future resilience of their special site. The wines are crafted exclusively from hand-picked and selected fruit grown on the estate vineyard, where they are subsequently processed and bottled on-site. 

Belinda Thomson took over from her father John as Chief Winemaker and Viticulturist in 2014 and is now the creative force behind the vineyard and wines. After studying Viticulture and Oenology in NZ in 2002 and staying on to work for several years, she returned to work with her father in 2005 after overseas harvests in France, Germany and Spain. A hunger for knowledge together with a passion for family led her to combine responsibilities at Crawford River with extensive international experience across a range of countries, before returning full-time in 2014 to her family estate. In 2020 she was a finalist in the Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year list, as well as being included in the Top 50 Young Gun Vineyards of the year awards.

Crawford River Vineyard

The Crawford River Vineyard lies at the alluvial edge of a volcanic lava flow. The 11.5 Ha vineyard has its roots in an unusually complex, mineral-rich soil base. Gravelly, friable, basalt loam overlays permeable clay which in turn lies above a limestone base created by an ancient, risen seabed.

Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon are the two main varieties in the vineyard, with smaller plantings of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

All major activities such as picking, pruning, leaf-plucking, shoot-thinning and green pruning are done by hand. The vineyard is maintained without the use of herbicides or insecticides and organic practices are used wherever possible. They have a bio-dynamic test plot that Belinda prepared and planted with Riesling in 2014.