$43.99
– Sold Out| /
Region: Murrumbateman, NSW
Grapes: Pinot Gris (80%), Gewurztraminer (10%) and Riesling (10%)
First Glance: Savoury, ginger, vermouth spice, textural
Acclaim: 94 Points
A small family run winery in Murrumbateman just north of Canberra, Ravensworth is making supremely elegant wines with a deft but light touch in the cellar. The climate here is quite cool due to the elevation of around 600 metres, and this shows in the finesse and detail of the wines.
While 2020 was a devastating year for the winery with wild fires and drought, 2021 was a welcome return to a cooler and wetter season, with good fruit set and well balanced wines.
A skin-contact blend (guess how long?) with a mix of varieties to build both body, perfume and zing. The fruit is sourced from mostly 25-year-old vines grown on granite soils at 650 metres elevation. Parcels fermented on skins in 1250-litre Italian concrete vessels and 750-litre ceramic amphora. They remained there for seven months before being pressed, blended and then bottled unfined and unfiltered in April the following year.
The review:
94 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
Seven months for pinot gris, gewurztraminer, riesling. A statement wine, of course.
Whoa. That colour. Ruddy! Scents of tangy vermouth, alpine herbs, tart cherry, some floral whiffs and honey, gewurz shows its hand. The palate is slick then really chewy, wow, tannin plus, the cider apple pucker and dryness for the finish. Floral flavours, yes, vermouth-like for sure, the fruit and spice elements are strong. Wildly complex. Texture is amazing. Intriguing. A serious wine here.
