Natural wines have recently become the cool new thing in bars and restaurants across Australia, and while the term Natural Wine isn’t entirely accurate (it also implies that other wine makers are engaged in unnatural practices) the processes of minimal intervention, less processing and no additives are yielding some brilliant results.
This is one of those moments of brilliance. Perhaps a bit murkier than you would be used to, the nose is stimulating, a blend of grapefruit, butterscotch and herbal elements. The flavour is wild, but absolutely brilliant with the aforementioned grapefruit and melon balanced out by guava and a gentle phenolic grip with refreshing acidity. The texture can seem oddly viscous in comparison to traditional chardonnay, but don’t let it put you off.
Awards and Accolades
2014 Vintage: 94 Points - James Halliday, The Australian Wine Companion "Carbonic maceration for 7 days, basket-pressed to used oak for full solids fermentation, lees stirred, unfined and unfiltered. Gleaming straw-green, this is a wine with attitude, and will entrance devotees of natural wine, and even those who aren't; acidity provides the spine for a complex, tightly wound palate and aftertaste."
From the Winery
From the established Cranna vineyard in Oakbank. This wine sees 7 days of carbonic maceration before being pressed to old oak for full solids ferment by natural yeasts. An enticing mix of grapefruit, butterscotch and herbs pull you into a full and exciting textural palate. A totally different take on Adelaide Hills Chardonnay but one that will reward.
This wine undertakes the process Carbonic Maceration – which is used in the production of Beaujolais Nouveau. After picking, whole bunches are sealed in a carbon dioxide rich environment and fermentation takes place inside the berry. After seven days the grapes are gently basket pressed and the last few baume is finished in seasoned oak barrels on full solids. The resulting wines are fresh and fruity. This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered so a harmless deposit may form in the bottle with time.
Don't Pay: $30.00
WBW Rating: 95/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: Adelaide Hills, SA
Winemaker: Matt Broomhead
Drink now until: 2022
Alc/Vol: 12.5 %
