SOLD OUT - CRFT 2020 Pinot Noir – The Budenberg Vineyard

PICCADILLY VALLEY - ADELAIDE HILLS

Scores and Reviews
93 POINTS - JAMES SUCKLING
”Aromas of bright red cherries and strawberries sit fresh and lively here with sweet red-floral perfume and a spicy edge, too. The palate has a lithe, juicy feel with impressively pure strawberry fruit flavor and paper-like tannins. So fine and elegant.”

93 POINTS - HUON HOOKE, THE REAL REVIEW
”Light red/purple hue, with a smoked-charcuterie overtone to the red-cherry fruit, the palate lean and sinuous, subtly edgy in its texture, with tautness, drive and finesse. A typically lean style of pinot which sparkles with a dash of excitement. This would be lovely with a plate of salumi.”

The Wine
As always, our Budenberg Vineyard Pinot Noir is tightly wound and focussed as a young wine.Showing cranberry and red cherry with an iron stone minerality. Has a touch of nutmeg spice with a perfumed lift that reminds us of jelly crystals and red skins. The palate is intense with a whack of tannins and pop of raspberry.
Will soften and continue to develop complexity and secondary characters with bottle age.
Drink now or cellar for 5-10 years, possibly beyond.
Suggested serving temperature 16-17C.
Alcohol – 13.5% alc/vol
Sugar/GF – Dry
Release – 6th August 2021

The Winemaking
Hand-made at CRFT Carey Gully winery.
Harvested 25th March 2020.
100% Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir, hand-picked.
Cold soaked prior to wild fermentation in an open-top tank.
25% whole bunch. Gentle hand plunging only.
Pressed to barrel once dry for malolactic fermentation and maturation.
Matured for 10 months in 100% French oak, 30% new oak. Occasional battonage.
Unfined and unfiltered. Bottled February 2021. Vegan friendly.

The Vineyard
The 2020 grapes were grown & organically farmed (uncertified) by Mark & Andrie Whisson. The vineyard is owned by the Budenberg family.
Elevation – 540 meters
Aspect – East facing
Planted – 1995
Clones – Majority 114 & 115, 1 row MV6
Map – -34.97274,138.744384
Soil – Clay loam and shale with a mix ironstone, blue stone and quartz.

SOLD OUT - CRFT 2020 Pinot Noir – The Whisson Lake Vineyard

PICCADILLY VALLEY - ADELAIDE HILLS

Scores and reviews
92 POINTS - JAMES SUCKLING
”A pale and elegant pinot noir with fine herbs, blueberries, red cherries and a lifted fragrance. The palate has a captivating sense of intense focus and there’s plenty of tannin pinning the red-cherry fruit in place.”

The Wine
A sweet spice lift with cinnamon and anise over strawberries and cream and cherry ripe. Shows a subtle whole bunch character – it’s like being in a mulberry tree, smelling the fresh leaves while eating the dark ripe sweet berries.
A fresh and lively Pinot at release, the palate is layered with a creamy mouthfeel and silky tannins.
Will soften and continue to develop complexity and secondary characters with bottle age.
Drink now or cellar for 5-10 years, possibly beyond.
Suggested serving temperature 16-17C.
Alcohol – 13.5% alc/vol
Sugar/GF – Dry/<0.1g/L
Release – 6th August 2021

The Winemaking
Handmade at CRFT Carey Gully winery.
Harvested 24th March 2020.
100% Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir, hand-picked.
Cold soaked prior to wild fermentation in an open-top tank.
25% whole bunch. Gentle hand plunging only.
Pressed to barrel once dry for malolactic fermentation and maturation.
Matured for 10 months in 100% French oak, 30% new oak. Occasional battonage.
Unfined and unfiltered. Bottled February 2021. Vegan friendly.

The Vineyard
The Whisson Lake Vineyard is owned and organically farmed (uncertified) by Mark & Andrie Whisson.
Elevation: 610 meters
Aspect: North East facing
Planted: 1985
Clones: D5V12, 777, 114,115, MV6
Map: -34.967153, 138.751102
Soil: Clay with schist and Gneiss.

SOLD OUT - CRFT 2020 Pinot Noir – The Arranmore Vineyard – NASAA CERTIFIED ORGANIC

PICCADILLY VALLEY - ADELAIDE HILLS

Scores and Reviews
93 POINTS - JAMES SUCKLING
“A very complex and finely detailed nose here with aromas of blueberries and violets, fragrant spices and sappy forest wood. I like the complexity here. There’s a very smooth, fine feel to the palate with tannins that are supple and layered, carrying ripe red-cherry and blueberry flavors long and fresh.”

Wine
Shy at first, giving charry oak, dried thyme and a savoury note. As it opens the fruit and spice begin to pop with blood plum, pomegranate and a sweet perfumed note. The palate is layered and lengthy, it’s savoury yet sweet, textural and concentrated. With notes of whole bunch, it shows the broody and dark characters we always see with the Arranmore Pinot.
Will soften and continue to develop complexity and secondary characters with bottle age.
Drink now or cellar 5-10 years, possibly beyond.
Suggested serving temperature 16-17C.
Alcohol - 14.5% alc/vol
Sugar/GF - Dry/<0.1g/L
Release – 6th August 2021

Winemaking
Handmade at CRFT Carey Gully winery.
Harvested 22nd and 23rd March 2020. A blend of two clones, D5V12 and 115.
100% NASAA Certified Organic Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir, hand-picked.
Cold soaked prior to wild fermentation in an open-top tank.
25% whole bunch. Gentle hand plunging only.
Pressed to barrel once dry for malolactic fermentation and maturation.
Matured for 10 months in 100% French oak, 25% new oak. Occasional battonage. Unfined and unfiltered.
Bottled February 2021. Vegan friendly.

The Vineyard
The Arranmore Vineyard has been farmed organically since Frewin & Candice took ownership in January 2016 and is now NASAA Certified Organic (February 2019).
Estate-owned, managed and farmed, the 5-acre Arranmore Vineyard planted from 1995-1998, is situated at Carey Gully in the Piccadilly Valley (Adelaide Hills). Dry grown.
Elevation: 545 meters
Aspect: East facing
Planted: 1998
Clones: 115 & D5V12
Map: -34.969091, 138.760670
Soil: Rich dark loam with clay and gravel mix, small pieces of quartz and ironstone sprinkled throughout.

SOLD OUT - CRFT 2020 Shiraz – The Rohrlach Vineyard (old vine)

WILLIAMSTOWN - BAROSSA VALLEY

The Rohrlach Vineyard Shiraz is a new wine to our range and the 2020 vintage is the first release.

Scores and Reviews
92 POINTS – AARON BRASHER, THE REAL REVIEW
Rated #2 of 22 – Top 2020 Shiraz from South Australia, The Real Review.

92 POINTS – MIKE BENNIE, THE WINE FRONT
“Barossa Shiraz. Not straight up, but the colour is a strong look. The alcohol at 15% is a statement too. Great producer here.
Soft, supple, bold red with amazing, satiny texture and general pillowy, gentle feel. Booze soaked forest berries, vanilla cream, dusty spice, graphite tannins and sour cherry to close. Lots of depth, intensity and richness, but a freshness and lift too. Booze a breathy lingering feel, but hey, you’re in the big end of town.”

Old Vine Shiraz
Planted in 1972, these vines are officially classified as Barossa Old Vines under the charter rules. That classification is for vines 35 years or older – “Their worthiness has been proven over many vintages, consistently producing the highest quality fruit for Barossa Wines of distinction and longevity”.

The Wine
An intense and lifted nose with blackberry jam, plum and mulberry, and a subtle savoury smoky note in the background. The palate is rich and dense with concentrated fruit, chocolate notes and a weighty mid-palate, it lingers with sweet spice.
Drinking beautifully at release & will continue to develop with bottle age. Benefits from decanting.
Suggested serving temperature 16-18C.
Drink now or cellar 5-10 years, possibly beyond.
Alcohol – 15% alc/vol
Sugar/GF – Dry
Released – 16th July 2021

The Winemaking
Harvested 28th February 2020.
Hand-made at CRFT Carey Gully winery.
100% Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz, hand-picked.
The grapes were destemmed to an open-top tank for wild fermentation, gentle hand plunge two to three times daily during active fermentation, then pressed to oak while still a little sweet for a few weeks of barrel fermentation. 10 months maturation in oak.
100% French oak, 20% new. Bottled February 2021. Vegan friendly.

The Vineyard
Owned and grown by Dennis and Carolyn Rohrlach with their son Matt, just out of Williamstown (Barossa Valley).
Elevation: 320m
Planted: 1972
Map: -34.686956, 138.898625
Soil: Rich clay soil scattered with Mica and fool’s gold which makes the soil sparkle in the sunlight.

SOLD OUT - CRFT 2020 Mencía - The Schmidt Vineyard

VINE VALE - BAROSSA VALLEY

Introducing our 2020 Mencía - same wine, beautiful new label.

Scores and Reviews
92 POINTS - MIKE BENNIE, THE WINE FRONT
“Mencía from Vine Vale, Barossa Valley. Smells like a cherry Danish pastry! Slippery textured, juicy and bright, cherry juice, cranberry, a web of gentle tannins, lots of cool acidity and a sprinkle of green herbs. I like the vibe here, it feels great to drink. Good energy.”

The Wine
Lifted and aromatic the nose shows raspberry and tea leaves with floral notes of rosewater and Turkish Delight. The palate is fleshy and lush, with fine tannings and a beetroot earthy character.
Ready to drink at release or cellar to 2025 (possibly beyond).
Suggested serving temperature 16-17C
Alcohol - 13.0% alc/vol
Sugar/GF - Dry
Released – 14th May 2021

The Winemaking
Harvested 6th March 2020.
Hand-made at CRFT Carey Gully winery.
100% Barossa Valley Mencía grapes, hand-picked.
Wild natural fermented in an open-top tank, gentle hand plunge only, 10 days on skins, then pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation and maturation.
Matured for 10 months in 100% French oak, 45% 1yo old, 55% older oak.
Bottled February 2021. Vegan friendly.

The Vineyard
The Schmidt family own and farm the Mencía vines at Vine Vale in the Barossa Valley.
Organically farmed (uncertified) from 2018/2019 growing season onwards.
Planted - 2012 (half grafted, half planted on own roots)
Soil - Deep sandy loam topsoil, over deep red clay subsoil.
Map -34.495745, 139.010397

Mencía – About the variety
Mencía (pronounced MEN-cee-ah or MEN-thee-ah) is a Spanish native grown mostly in the northwestern corner of Spain and if you enjoy Pinot Noir you should definitely give this a go!
The variety often shows lifted aromatics of red fruit, floral notes and earthy tones. It can be medium to full bodied and suits savoury red meat dishes, poultry or wild game, and vegetarian dishes such as mushroom risotto.
In Australia, there’s just a tiny handful of plantings and producers, with the variety found in South Australia’s McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley as well as the Pyrenees Wine Region in Victoria and Orange in New South Wales.
Australian Mencía will be an exciting variety to watch over the coming decades as our vines age and as we learn how to grow Mencía in our climate.
In 2019 our second planting of Mencía was established at the Rohrlach Vineyard in the Barossa Valley and we look forward to producing our second single vineyard Mencía in the future.

SOLD OUT - CRFT 2020 Chardonnay - The Arranmore Vineyard

PICCADILLY VALLEY - ADELAIDE HILLS

Scores and reviews
94 POINTS - MIKE BENNIE, THE WINE FRONT
“Arranmore Vineyard the culprit here. Wet slate, peach juice, preserved lemon, ginger. Supple, flowing, long, some richness here and strong minerality though savouriness is also a feature. Lots going on. Excellent the more you pause on it. And high drinkability. Into it. Rated : 94 Points”

93 POINTS - STUART KNOX, THE REAL REVIEW
“A bright straw-yellow hue. White peach, roasted nut and struck flint aromatics. It's tightly-wound on the palate with barely ripe stone fruits, lemon zest layering with bacon fat and a saline minerality. Acidity is a big part of the wine, with a tight focus into a dry fuzz of phenolics at the finish. Drink 2021–2031.”

The Wine
The nose is all stone fruit with white peach and nectarine and the pine-lime Splice character we see each year. It’s fresh and lively with sweet grapefruit yet complex with shortbread and macadamia nut.
The natural acidity carries the palate, showing clingstone peach, butterscotch and creamy malo characters. A complex and interesting wine with all the hallmarks of a chardonnay to cellar and enjoy with a few more years on its belt.
Drinking beautifully at release and will continue to develop with bottle age. Cellar 10 years, possibly longer.
Suggested serving temperature: 8-10C
Alcohol - 13.5% alc/vol
Sugar/GF - Dry/<0.1g/L
Release – April 2021

The Winemaking
Harvested 18th March 2020
Hand-made at CRFT Carey Gully winery.
100% NASAA Certified Organic Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, hand-picked.
Whole bunch pressed followed by wild fermentation on full solids in tank, then transferred to oak for barrel fermentation around half way through ferment.
Some light lees stirring with full malo-lactic fermentation in oak.
Matured for 7 months in 100% French oak, 30% new, 70% older oak. 100% natural acidity.
Bottled November 2020, Vegan friendly.

The Vineyard
The Arranmore Vineyard has been farmed organically since Frewin & Candice took ownership in January 2016 and is now NASAA Certified Organic (February 2019).
Estate-owned, managed and farmed, the 5-acre Arranmore Vineyard planted from 1995-1998, is situated at Carey Gully in the Piccadilly Valley (Adelaide Hills).
Elevation - 545 meters
Aspect - East facing
Planted - 1995-1998
Map - 34°58'07.5"S 138°45'38.1"E
Soil - Rich dark loam with clay and gravel mix, small pieces of quartz and ironstone sprinkled throughout.

SOLD OUT - CRFT 2020 Grüner Veltliner – The Longview Vineyard

MACCLESFIELD - ADELAIDE HILLS

Reviews and Scores

94 POINTS - TONY LOVE (HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION)

“This Macclesfield district variation has subtle green pear notes to begin. There's a wave of tempered minerally acidity as you first sip, more earthy than the others, with lemon/lime elements on the palate. It finishes with mouthfilling texture and complex lingering flavours and textures. Well realised.”

The Wine

Punchy at first with celery, fresh cut herbs and lemon-lime. Opens to ripe passionfruit, elderflower and white pepper spice. The palate showing fresh acidity wrapped with textural fruit of pineapple and yellow nectarine.

Drinking beautifully at release and will continue to develop with bottle age.

Cellar 5-8 years.
Serving temp 9-11C
Alcohol - 13.5% alc/vol
Sugar/GF - Dry/<0.1g/L
Release date - October 23rd 2020

The Winemaking

Harvested 12th March 2020. 100% Adelaide Hills Gruner Veltliner, hand-picked.
Hand-made at CRFT Carey Gully winery.
50% whole bunch pressed to tank.
The remaining fruit underwent skin contact for 3 days prior to pressing.
Both batches were then blended for wild fermentation on full solids.
Fermented cool and slow in stainless steel. Part way through fermentation about 15% was transferred to an older neutral French oak barrique for barrel fermentation followed by time of lees.
Total 10 weeks in oak to build texture and complexity without picking up oak flavour.
Some light lees stirring in tank and oak, with partial malo-lactic fermentation.
Bottled June 2020. Vegan friendly.

The Vineyard

Brothers Peter and Mark Saturno and Vineyard Manager Dino Cotsaris grow our Longview Vineyard Grüner Veltliner at Macclesfield, Adelaide Hills.

Elevation: 300 to 320m
Aspect: South facing steep slope
Planted: 2011
Clones: Iby, HHW2
Map: -35.192097, 138.821556
Soil: Rocky, scattered with ironstone and quartz. Fine silt and sandy loam topsoil, dense clay and loam subsoil.

SOLD OUT - CRFT 2020 Grüner Veltliner – The K1 Vineyard

KUITPO - ADELAIDE HILLS

Reviews and Scores

91 POINTS - MIKE BENNIE, THE WINE FRONT
”CRFT, they who dislike vowels, are somewhat of a gruner specialist, though I’m not pigeonholing, they just seem to do really well with it and do a lot more than most with it.
True to ‘classic gruner’, if that’s a thing, this is very well expressed in this wine with root vegetable scents and flavours, tonic water and lime characters, a ripple of limey acidity, just under medium weight, good texture, excellent length. Lots of charm and interest.”

The Wine

The nose shows pineapple, a subtle flinty note, then layers of white peach with white pepper spice. The palate has the most minerality of the three Grüners, with a direct acid line and fresh nectarine finish.
Drinking beautifully at release and will continue to develop with bottle age.
Cellar 5 years. Possibly beyond.
Serving temp 9-11C, serve cooler in hot weather.
Style – Dry and textural
Alcohol – 13.5% alc/vol
Sugar/GF – Dry/<0.1g/L
RRP – $31
Release – 7th October 2021

The Winemaking

Hand-made at CRFT winery in Carey Gully.
Harvested 19th March 2021. Hand-picked.
50% whole-bunch pressed to tank, the remaining fruit destemmed and left to skin contact for a limited time prior to pressing.
Both batches then blended together for wild fermentation on full solids.
Fermented cool and slow in stainless steel. Part way through tank fermentation a portion was transferred to older neutral French oak for barrel fermentation followed by time on lees, with the aim to build texture and complexity without picking up oak flavour.
Occasional lees stirring in tank and oak, with partial wild malo-lactic fermentation.
Bottled July 2021. Vegan friendly.


The Vineyard

Geoff Hardy grows our K1 Vineyard Grüner Veltliner from his beautiful property at Kuitpo, Adelaide Hills.
Elevation: 300 to 320m
Aspect: North West facing
Planted: 2008 (grafted)
Clone: Elite
Map: -35.226406,138.668736
Soil: Rocky, flinty ground with ironstone and sandstone, and orange clay loam.

SOLD OUT - CRFT 2020 Grüner Veltliner – The Arranmore Vineyard - NASAA Certified Organic

Review

94 POINTS - TONY LOVE (HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION)

“One of 3 Grüners from this creative Hills couple. 50% whole-bunch pressed with 2 days skin contact, wild fermentation and lees influence. Swelling with white peach and pear, the texture verging on an oiliness, though cut with lines of Meyer lemon and gentle, finishing acidity. Quite delicious, and a definite statement.”

The Wine

2020 was a great vintage for textural whites! Lifted with white pear, notes of wet slate and warm spice. Plenty of grapefruit, lime leaf and citrus, with hints of celery and pepper. Textural and spicy at first with a round almost oily mouthfeel, all balanced by lengthy acidity and a white nectarine finish.

Drinking beautifully at release and will continue to develop with bottle age.

Cellar 5-8 years.
Serving temp 9-11C
Alcohol - 13.0% alc/vol
Sugar/GF - Dry/<0.1g/L
Release date - October 23rd 2020

The Winemaking

Harvested 22nd March 2020. 100% NASAA Certified Organic Piccadilly Valley Gruner, hand-picked.
Hand-made at CRFT Carey Gully winery.
50% whole bunch pressed to tank.
The remaining fruit underwent skin contact for 48 hours prior to pressing.
Both batches were then blended for wild fermentation on full solids.
Fermented cool and slow in stainless steel. Part way through fermentation about 25% was transferred to an older neutral French oak barrique for barrel fermentation followed by time of lees.
Total 8 weeks in oak to build texture and complexity without picking up oak flavour.
Some light lees stirring in tank and oak, with partial malo-lactic fermentation.
Bottled June 2020. Vegan friendly.

The Vineyard

The Arranmore Vineyard has been farmed organically since Frewin & Candice took ownership in January 2016 and is now NASAA Certified Organic (February 2019).

Estate-owned, managed and farmed, the 5-acre Arranmore Vineyard planted from 1995-1998, is situated at Carey Gully in the Piccadilly Valley (Adelaide Hills).

Elevation: 545 meters
Aspect: East facing
Planted: Grafted on 20 year old Sauvignon Blanc vines, winter 2017. Cuttings from Geoff Hardy’s K1 vineyard Grüner.
Clone: Elite
Map: -34.969564, 138.760102
Soil: Rich dark loam with clay and gravel mix, quartz and ironstone throughout.