SOLD OUT - CRFT 2021 Shiraz – The Rohrlach Vineyard (old vine)

WILLIAMSTOWN – BAROSSA VALLEY

Reviews
91 POINTS - JENI PORT (HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION)
Destemmed fruit, fermented wild; matured 10 months in French oak (20% new). Old vines, planted 1972, are the basis for this smart young shiraz. Solid Barossa credentials here in inky, dark hues and boldness of cassis, blackberry, cinnamon, clove, anise and smokey cigar-box oak. Tannins are firm and ripe, A bold presence in the glass.

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 wine with red fruits, violets and liquorice. The palate is medium bodied with black pepper and warm spice. Vibrant and youthful at release, it will develop further complexity with careful cellaring.
Benefits from a little time to breathe upon opening.
Drink at release or cellar 5-10 years, possibly beyond.
Suggested serving temperature 16-18C

The Winemaking
Harvested 26th February 2021.
Hand-made at CRFT Carey Gully winery.
100% Barossa Valley Shiraz, hand-picked.
The grapes were destemmed to an open-top tank for wild fermentation with a gentle hand plunge two to three times daily during active fermentation. Towards the end of primary fermentation, the wine was pressed to oak for barrel fermentation.
10 months in oak with wild malolactic fermentation followed by maturation.
100% French oak, 20% new, 20% 1 year old, 60% older oak.
Alcohol- 14.0% alc/vol
Bottled 24th January 2022. Vegan friendly.

The Vineyard
Owned and grown by Dennis and Carolyn Rohrlach with their son Matt, just out of Williamstown (Barossa Valley).

The Rohrlach Vineyard sits on the southern fringe of the Barossa Valley wine region, just a couple kilometers from the boundary of the Adelaide Hills wine region.

Elevation: 320m
Planted: 1972
Map: -34.475005,139.071367
Soil: Rich clay soil scattered with Mica and fool’s gold which makes the soil sparkle in the sunlight.

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 2018 Shiraz – The Fechner Vineyard

MOCULTA - EDEN VALLEY

Wine

The Fechner Vineyard Shiraz is a complex and intriguing wine - a journey in the bottle! A full flavour spectrum as always, blackcurrant and berry fruit, fresh figs and blackberry jam, with savoury meaty notes. The palate smooth and supple, with the tight Eden Valley tannins we know and love. Concentrated rich palate with blood plum, caraway and tar. Plenty of length and oodles of life.

Drinking beautifully at release & will continue to develop with age - cellar 10 to 15 year. Possibly beyond.

Suggested serving temperature 16-18C

Alcohol – 13.5% alc/vol

Sugar/GF – Dry

RRP - $45

Released – January 2021

Winemaking

Hand-made at CRFT winery in Carey Gully.

Harvested 13th March 2018. 100% Eden Valley Shiraz, hand-picked.

Grapes destemmed to an open-top tank for wild fermentation, gentle hand plunge two to three times daily. Pressed to oak with 3 weeks barrel fermentation followed by 9 months maturation.

100% French oak, 35% new oak.

Vegan Friendly. Bottled December 2018. 74 dozen produced.

Vineyard

Grown by Graeme and Michael Fechner near Moculta at the northern end of the Eden Valley wine region.

Elevation - 345m

Aspect - East facing

Planted - 1999

Clone - 1654

Rows - 35 to 37

Map - -34.475005,139.071367

Soil - Sitting on the edge of a marble seam, the ancient earth is a mixture of broken grey schist, integrated with shallow limestone and red clay. Packed with minerality.

SOLD OUT - CRFT 2017 Shiraz – The Fechner Vineyard

CRFT-2017-FECHNER-SHIRAZ-FRONT.jpg

MOCULTA - EDEN VALLEY

The Wine

As always, the Fechner Vineyard Shiraz displays a full spectrum of flavours from blackberries and figs, cracked pepper and caraway, to Rye bread and cured meat. The palate shows dense fruit and tight tannins and rewards with time to air. Super elegant with lingering star anise and dark chocolate.

Drinking beautifully at release & will continue to develop with age - cellar to 2030.

Suggested serving temperature 16-18C

Alcohol – 14.5% alc/vol

Sugar/GF – Dry

RRP - $45

Released – April 2020

 

The Winemaking

Harvested 23rd March 2017. 100% Eden Valley Shiraz, hand-picked.

Grapes destemmed to an open-top tank for wild fermentation, gentle hand plunge two to three times daily. Pressed to oak with 3 weeks barrel fermentation followed by 10 months maturation.

100% French oak, 25% new oak.

Bottled February 2018, 109 dozen produced. Vegan friendly.

The Vineyard

Grown by Graeme and Michael Fechner near Moculta at the northern end of the Eden Valley wine region.

Elevation - 345m

Aspect - East facing

Planted - 1999

Clone - 1654

Rows - 35 to 37

Map - -34.475005,139.071367

Soil - Sitting on the edge of a marble seam, the ancient earth is a mixture of broken grey schist, integrated with shallow limestone and red clay. Packed with minerality.

SOLD OUT - CRFT 2016 The Fechner Vineyard Shiraz

CRFT-2016-FECHNER-SHIRAZ-1-sRGB-HI.jpg

The Wine                                  

Dark chocolate and cardoman notes with fresh blackcurrent, blueberry and dried prune fruit. Full bodied, rich and dark with smooth velvety tannins. Spicy and warm, with black olives and pepper. With all it’s power and length, it still shines with elegance and bright fruit.

Drinking... Drinking beautifully right now at release, and will continue to develp with age - cellar to 2030, possibly beyond.

Alcohol: 15% alc/vol

The Winemaking                              

Hand-picked and destemmed to open-top tank for fermentation with 15% whole bunches, then gently hand plunged two to three times daily.

Pressed directly to oak with 3 weeks barrel fermentation followed by 10 months maturation – 100% French oak, 30% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered, vegan.

Bottled:  10th February 2017

Production:  92 dozen

The Vineyard                                  

Fechner Vineyard is owned & farmed by brothers Michael Fechner & Graeme Fechner near Moculta in the northern end of the Eden Valley.

The Fechner Vineyard is unique being one of only a few eastern facing vineyards in the Eden Valley region.  The eastern slope which offers cooler daytime temperatures, together with higher altitude and cool valley winds produces optimum growing conditions for Shiraz.

Site location: Moculta – Eden Valley

Map coordinates: -34.475005,139.071367

Clone:  1654

Planted: 1999

Elevation: 345m

Aspect: East facing

Harvest: 7th March 2016

Tonnes:  1.33T

Soil:  Broken Grey schist integrated with shallow limestone and red clay, very complex ancient soil. 

SOLD OUT - 2015 CRFT SHIRAZ - THE FECHNER VINEYARD

2015+Fechner+Shiraz.jpg

The Vineyard               

Owned and farmed by Graeme and Michael Fechner at Moculta in the Eden Valley.

Site location:    Moculta – Eden Valley

Map coordinates: -34.475005,139.071367

Clone:            1654

Planted:          1999

Elevation:        345m

Aspect:           East facing

Rows:             35 to 37

Harvest:          4thMarch 2015

Tonnes:           2.1T

Soil:  Sitting on the edge of a marble seam, the ancient earth is a mixture of grey schist, integrated with shallow limestone and red clay. Packed with minerality.

 

The Winemaking               

Hand-picked in the cool of the morning and gently destemmed to preserve whole berries.

Fermented in an open top tank with a light hand plunge two-three times daily.

Basket pressed directly to oak with 3 weeks’ barrel fermentation followed by 10 months’ maturation in oak - 80% French, 20% American, 15% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered, vegan.

Bottled on 15th February 2016, 140 dozen produced.

 

The Wine                                 

Meaty and savoury with smoky notes and black cardamom, yet lifted with bright fruits, berries and fresh plum. Dense and layered, every mouthful offers more to the story. The soil, the minerality, the small sweet dark berries all there, giving a wine of great elegance and depth.  Complex and intriguing as always and classically Eden – it opens, grows and evolves with every glass.

Alcohol: 14.0% alc/vol

RRP: $45

Release: 2017 Winter release

SOLD OUT - 2015 Shiraz – Little Hill Vineyard

 

The Vineyard                                  

John and Al Shobbrook own and farm this biodynamic vineyard.

Site location: Seppeltsfield – Barossa Valley

Map coordinates: -34.501853,138.915622

Clone: 1654

Planted: 1998

Elevation: 241 meters

Aspect: West facing

Rows: 30-35

Harvest: 17th February 2015

Tonnes: 1.05T

Soil: Heavy, dense dark brown and red clay over limestone.

 

The Winemaking        

Hand-picked in the cool of the morning and gently de-stemmed to preserve whole berries. Fermented in an open top tank with a light hand plunge two-three times daily.

Basket pressed directly to oak with three weeks’ barrel fermentation followed by 11 months’ maturation in oak – 55% French, 45% American, with 35% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled on 15th February 2016, 78 dozen produced.

 

The Wine                                

With its dense rich soil and warm sunny slope, the Little Hill Shiraz is intense and opulent. Generous dark cherry fruit and blackberry jam with cardamom and vanilla spice. The palate bursts with layers of fruit, smooth, silky and vibrant, with powdery tannins and baked gingerbread biscuit notes.

Alcohol: 14.5% alc/vol

Release: Winter release - Aug 2017.

Drinking... enjoy now or cellar to 2035.

 

Reviews                              

94 points - Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion.

93 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

93 points - Huon Hooke

 

Download the technical info here.

SOLD OUT - 2015 SHIRAZ - CEMETERY VINEYARD

 

The Vineyard                                  

Andy Kalleske grows our Cemetery Vineyard Shiraz.

Site location:    Ebenezer – Barossa Valley

Map coordinates:  -34.400246,139.001391

Clone:            1654

Planted:          1998

Rows:             25 to 28

Elevation:        280 meters

Aspect:           North West facing

Harvest:          19th February 2015

Tonnes:           2.07T 

Soil: Clay loam topsoil over deep red clay and ironstone - the ancient tight red clays restrict vine growth, increasing the intensity of flavour and colour in the fruit.

 

The Winemaking        

Picked in the cool of the morning and gently destemmed to preserve whole berries.

Fermented in an open top tank with a light hand plunge two to three times daily.

Basket pressed directly to oak with three weeks’ barrel fermentation followed by 10 months’ maturation in oak - 80% French, 20% American, with 20% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled on 15th February 2016, 141 dozen produced.

 

The Wine                                

Never on the shy side, the Cemetery Shiraz bears all. Rich and concentrated, dried fig, blackberry, blackcurrant and cinnamon. The palate is velvety and smooth with pops of red current. Dark and bold, yet elegant and feminine, she is all power and soul.

Drinking: Ready now or cellar to 2030, perhaps beyond.

Alcohol: 15% alc/vol

RRP: $39

Release: Oct 2016

 

Reviews                              

95 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

93 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front.

93 points - Huon Hooke

 

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2014 SHIRAZ - LITTLE HILL VINEYARD

The Vineyard                      

Little Hill Vineyard is owned and farmed by John and Al Shobbrook.

Site location: Seppeltsfield – Barossa Valley

Map coordinates: -34.501853,138.915622

Clone: 1654

Planted: 1998

Elevation: 241 meters

Soil: Heavy, dense dark brown & red clay soil over limestone.

Aspect: West facing

Rows:  30-35

Harvest: 21st February 2014

Tonnes: 2.04T

 

The Winemaking                       

Hand-picked and destemmed to an open-top tank for fermentation and gently hand plunged two to three times daily.

Pressed directly to oak with 3 weeks barrel fermentation followed by 10 months maturation - 60% French, 40% American, with 20% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled 2nd February 2015 – 1,848 bottles, 154 doz. 

 

The Wine                      

The warmest site with rich dense soils reflected in this wine. Complex but refined, with dark chocolate and savoury spice.  Sip and uncover the layers of dark fruits with dried figs and prunes, it lingers with star anise spice and walnut tannins.

Drinking...Ready to drink upon release or cellar to 2029.

Alcohol 14% alc/vol

 

Reviews                      

94 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

93 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

92 points - Huon Hook

 

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2014 SHIRAZ - CEMETERY VINEYARD

The Vineyard                              

Cemetery Vineyard is owned and farmed by Andy Kalleske and his parents.

Site location: Ebenezer – Barossa Valley

Map coordinates: -34.400246,139.001391

Clone: 1654

Planted: 1998

Elevation: 280 meters

Soil: Clay loam topsoil over deep red clay - the ancient tight red clays restrict vine growth and increase the intensity of flavour and colour in the fruit.

Aspect: North West facing

Rows: 25 to 28

Harvest: 7th March 2014

Tonnes: 2.15T

 

The Winemaking                              

Destemmed to an open-top tank for fermentation and gently hand plunged two to three times daily.

Pressed directly to oak with 3 weeks barrel fermentation followed by 10 months maturation - 60% French, 40% American, with 20% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled 2nd February 2015 – 1,794 bottles, 149 doz

 

The Wine                            

Polished, precise and all things nice. Typically Ebenezer, dense, dark and packed full of flavour, with cardamom spice and sweet fruit. The wine from the ancient gnarly rocks and vibrant orange clays yields blackcurrant and cranberry fruit with notes of leather and blackberry jam. It finishes with power and earth.

Drinking...Ready to drink upon release or cellar to 2034.

Alcohol 14% alc/vol

 

Reviews                            

95 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

95 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

95 points - Jane Faulkner, Wine Companion magazine

 

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2014 SHIRAZ - FECHNER VINEYARD

The Vineyard                                  

Fechner Vineyard is owned and farmed by brothers Michael and Graeme Fechner near Moculta in the northern end of the Eden Valley.

The Fechner Vineyard is unique, being one of only a few eastern-facing vineyards in the Eden Valley region. The eastern slope offers cooler daytime temperatures together with higher altitude and cool valley winds, which produces optimum growing conditions for Shiraz.

Site location: Moculta – Eden Valley

Map coordinates: -34.475005,139.071367

Clone:  1654

Planted: 1999

Elevation: 345m

Aspect: East facing

Harvest: 21st March 2014

Tonnes:  1.78T

Soil:  Broken Grey schist integrated with shallow limestone and red clay, very complex ancient soil.

 

The Vineyard                              

Hand-picked and destemmed to an open-top tank for fermentation and gently hand plunged two to three times daily.

Pressed directly to oak with 3 weeks barrel fermentation followed by 10 months maturation – 60% French, 40% American, with 20% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered, vegan.

Bottled:  2nd February 2015

Production:  1,466 bottles – 120 dozen

 

The Wine                                  

Somewhat shy at first, our Eden Valley Shiraz playfully opens with cardamom, tea leaves and dense dark berries. The mouth has a burst of sweet velvety fruit, charred with dark chocolate-coated oranges and layered with earthy tannins, just like the site. Every glass offers more to an unfolding journey, elegantly rich and alluring.

Drinking: Enjoy now or cellar to 2044.

Alcohol: 13.5% alc/vol

 

Reviews                                 

97 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion.

95 points - Jane Faulkner, for Wine Companion

95 points - Huon Hooke

94 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

 

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2013 SHIRAZ - LITTLE HILL VINEYARD

 
 

The Vineyard                      

Little Hill Vineyard is owned and farmed by John and Al Shobbrook.

Site location: Seppeltsfield – Barossa Valley

Map coordinates: -34.501853,138.915622

Clone: 1654

Planted: 1998

Elevation: 241 meters

Soil: Heavy, dense dark brown and red clay soil over limestone.

Aspect: West facing

Rows:  30-35

Harvest: 21st February 2013

Tonnes: 1.92T

 

The Winemaking                       

Hand-picked and destemmed to an open-top tank for fermentation and gently hand plunged two to three times daily.

Basket pressed directly to oak for 11 months maturation - 60% French, 40% American, with 75% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled 25th February 2014 – 1,476 bottles

 

The Wine                      

Like a hug from your mum, this west facing block yields a warm, generous and giving wine. Packed with warm spices, dark fruits, vanilla and good manners.

Drinking...Drink now or cellar to 2028.

Alcohol 14.5% alc/vol

 

Reviews                      

95 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

93 points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

 

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2013 SHIRAZ - CEMETERY VINEYARD

 
 

The Vineyard                              

Cemetery Vineyard is owned and farmed by Andy Kalleske and his parents.

Site location: Ebenezer – Barossa Valley

Map coordinates: -34.400246,139.001391

Clone: 1654

Planted: 1998

Elevation: 280 meters

Soil: Clay loam topsoil over deep red clay – the ancient tight red clays restrict vine growth and increase the intensity of flavour and colour in the fruit.

Aspect: North west facing

Rows: 25 to 28

Harvest: 21st February 2013

Tonnes: 2.12T

 

The Winemaking                              

Destemmed to an open-top tank for fermentation and gently hand plunged two to three times daily.

Basket pressed directly to oak for 11 months maturation - 60% French, 40% American, with 60% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled 25th February 2014 – 1,788 bottles

 

The Wine                            

A block with roots in our family tree, sitting just a stone’s throw from the cemetery where Candice’s great-grandparents are buried in the ancient clay of Ebenezer.

Cardamom, tar, blackberry jam, and intensely rich fruit – classic Ebenezer through and through.

Drinking...Ready for drinking upon release or cellar for 20+ years.

Alcohol 15% alc/vol

 

Reviews                             

94 points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion

92 points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

 

Download the technical info.

SOLD OUT - 2013 SHIRAZ - FECHNER VINEYARD

 
 

The Vineyard                                  

Fechner Vineyard is owned and farmed by brothers Michael Fechner and Graeme Fechner near Moculta in the northern end of the Eden Valley.

The Fechner Vineyard is unique, being one of only a few eastern facing vineyards in the Eden Valley region. The eastern slope which offers cooler daytime temperatures, together with higher altitude and cool valley winds produces optimum growing conditions for Shiraz.

Site location: Moculta, Eden Valley

Map coordinates: -34.475005,139.071367

Clone: 1654

Planted: 1999

Elevation: 345 meters

Soil: Broken grey schist integrated with shallow limestone and red clay, very complex and ancient soil.

Aspect: East-facing

Rows:  35 to 37

Harvest: February 23, 2013

Tonnes:  1.90T

 

The Winemaking                                  

Hand-picked and destemmed to an open-top tank for fermentation and gently hand plunged two to three times daily.

Basket pressed directly to oak for 11 months maturation - 55% French, 45% American, with 75% new oak.

Unfined, unfiltered and vegan.

Bottled 25th February 2014 – 1,566 bottles

 

The Wine                                  

Over the last 900 million years a large chunk of dolomite was pushed up into the landscape at Penrice, crumbling all the land around it.

Next to this in the rich, complex gravel the Fechner Vineyard produces a deep and concentrated wine with immense spices and 900 million years’ worth of minerality. Elegant and deep to the core.

Drinking... Ready for drinking upon release or cellar for 20+ years.

Alcohol 13.5% alc/vol

 

Reviews                                 

96 POINTS - James Halliday's Wine Companion Magazine (May 2015)

"Matured in 55% French, 45% American oak (75% new); grown on 900-millionyear- old gravel soils. As far removed from the Cemetery Vineyard Ebenezer Shiraz as the sun from the moon, this is all about elegance and intensity, with fruit and oak spices to the fore, but leaving ample opportunity for the tangy cherry, plum and blackberry fruits to state their case. 131 dozen made. 13.5% alc, cellar to 2033."
James Halliday's Wine Companion Magazine - Top Cellaring Selections 2015

______________________________________________________

92 points - Huon Hooke, Silver Ribbon, August 2015.

Awarded #11 of 50 2013 Shiraz wines tasted from Barossa.

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94 points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

 

Download the technical information.