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Currently out of stock
Crabtree is quite small, very much a boutique operation so far as production is concerned. The annual crush is a mere hundred tonnes, the tiny winery is at full capacity every vintage, and the wines are very limited in production. The cellar door is heritage listed and dates back to 1849 when the Clare Valley was first settled. Adolf Glaetzer was largely responsible for the planting of the vineyards as they exist today. Best known for his fresh fruit and vegetables, his descendants have made the Glaetzer name synonymous with Australian winemaking. The Crabtree site has been planted to vines for well over a century. Although the original plantings have long since gone, most of the current vines are quite mature. The Riesling are over thirty years of age, very low yielding and are essentially dry grown, although most of the vineyards do have drip irrigation lines to ensure the vines do not suffer from too much water stress. Growing conditions this year were perfect, with good winter and spring rains, a moderately cool summer and a warm concentrated vintage, the quality of the Riesling in particular was excellent. Grapes were treated to a traditional vinification, portions were whole bunch pressed to bring length and finesse without sacrificing flavour. Alcohol 12.5%
TASTING NOTESLight pale straw with a strong green hue. Exhibiting lovely young green lime characters and lemongrass on the bouquet, lifted citrus and tropical fruits. The aroma is pleasant, a complex fusion of flowers, citrus and fresh apple, which carry through the big flavoursome palate. Expressions of lime and citrus, ginger and minerality. An exquisite wine with good structure, fresh and crisp with outstanding length, lingering and long with mouth watering acidity. The flavour and mouthfeel are perhaps more delicate than those of some of its predecessors – at least, on first impressions. However, the wine builds to a long, strong and clean finish, which lingers long after the wine has left the mouth. A classic Clare Valley Riesling. |
