2022 Crawford River Wines Strata Riesling - Henty Vic

Formally known as 'Young Vines' Riesling. The fruit for this wine is sourced from a block that was added in 2001 at the western border of the original plantings. While the very top of this block is an ironstone-rich, gravelly ridge, much of the block shows a prevalence towards a rich, loam dominant soil over limestone footing. These factors coupled with a multitude of influences, micro-climatic and otherwise, yield an expression quite different to our original blocks. The loam based plantings tend to be more open and expressive, particularly as younger wines. They also lean towards a more dominantly fruit driven front and mid palate.

This wine is always ready for drinking upon release with expressive fruit, floral and mineral components. It shows delicate white stone fruit, citrus and red apple. This fruit is backed by white florals. Talc and chalk, always a hallmark of the site, integrate seamlessly. The palate starts with generous fruit, but quickly becomes fresh and brisk. It is streamlined throughout the palate with a clean refreshing finish.

"Young Vines is dead, long live Young Vines! The Young Vines labelling is now called Strata, as per this wine. A shift in the paradigm for Crawford River’s nomenclature, and one that we’ve been curiously awaiting, perhaps!

It’s a beauty. A bit more weight and texture than some releases, a softness, gentle savouriness underling, some slate-like mineral elements and this gentle concentration of lime juice, hazy green apple juice, a touch of fennel in there too. It flows beautifully and effortlessly, and though a touch richer, let’s say, maintains great freshness and vibrancy despite that. It feels of superior quality fruit and gentle winemaking application. It’s a star."

94 Points - Mike Bennie - The Wine Front