2010 Crawford River Nektar 375ml, Henty

The 2010 vintage at Crawford River provided ideal conditions for the naturally occurring botrytic fruit left to hang in late April.  After excellent conditions for the infection and growth of Botrytis cinerea earlier in the season, we were delighted to see clear, dry sunshine in late April, which provided perfect drying/concentration conditions for the precious, rotten berries. So intense was the rot in 2010, that plumes of botrytis spores rose into the air as we filled the press with the rotten fruit.

The fruit was whole-bunch pressed very slowly in order to gently extract the rich, luscious juice.  In the following days it was clean racked twice before fermentation was initiated.  Approximately 30% was fermented in old French Oak with the aim of enhancing the exceptional juice.

90% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Semillon 375ml

Residual Sugar:  116gms

A lifted, fresh scent of elderflower blossom and apricots introduces this intense yet elegant desert wine.  These aromas are followed by yellow nectarine, chargrilled peach and cashew nut nuances, which flow seamlessly to the luscious, even and focused structure on the mid and back palate.  We couldn’t be more pleased with the layered complexity of this most precious wine.  Fresh passionfruit and ripe peach linger on the back palate, with crisp, clean acidity capping off the extremely persistent finish.  Dense and textural, this wine is now drinking superbly,   but will reward further cellaring.  We feel it is one of the best ‘Sauterne style’ sweet wines we have ever made.