2018 Crawford River Cabernets

WINEMAKER: Belinda Thomson
REGION: Henty, VIC
VARIETAL: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
VITICULTURE: Organic

75/25 Cabernet Sauvignon/Franc. Destemmed only. 5-7 days cold soak on skins prior to natural fermentation in open fermenters. Hand plunged during moderate temperature fermentation. Pressed when dry and settled in tank for around 4 weeks before barrelling down. 12 months in 100% French Oak, <10% new. No acid addition. Not cold stabilised. Not fined. Bottled October 2019.

This style is light on its feet and true to site, having both red and black fruited elements throughout. Rhubarb and redcurrant are there on the nose, cassis in the foreground with liquorice and allspice following. The palate has a lovely textural quality with the fruit and gentle spice together with the savoury elements all integrating seamlessly. Delicious drinking.

Crawford River is an iconic family producer in the cool climate of Henty in Victoria's south-west. The Thomson family have been producing wine from their estate since 1985, making the move to organics in 2008. The vineyard is managed by hand without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or fungicides, using organic composts and grazing sheep.