Eden Valley 12.0% Cork $31.99 Source: Retail
I think that Oliver Crawford was Penfolds’ head white winemaker when this was made, could be wrong. He joined up with them in 1999 anyway, left 2008. Now he’s off doing his thing at Devil’s Lair. Some people have noted that I seem to have issues with his wine making. It’s true I didn’t care much for his Chardonnays when I first tasted them, but that was a while ago. In any case, it’s time I gave him a fair shake of the sauce bottle.
[Edit 27/6- As I look into this further it seems less & less likely that Crawford was head white winemaker at the time of this wine. Oh well, his picture can still bask in the glory of a positive review. Point is, I'll be grabbing some other Penfolds aged release Rieslings on the back of this wine & he will have made some of them]
The 2000 vintage in the Eden Valley encountered frosts in the previous year and soaring heat in the year of picking. A cyclone up north was responsible for 100mm of rain over 24 hours late in February. Tough vintage it would seem. Not that I knew any of that when I apprehensively pulled the cork on this bottle. Blow me down, no seepage and a pop! Ride the painted pony, let the spinning wheel spin…
Fantastic wine; Limey & toasty on entry moving towards lemons and resin/wax on the finish. Sherbert flavoured acidity was soft & integrated, driving through the whole palate. Lavender, orange oil, baked spiced green apple, anise/herbs and some balanced honey notes. Complex but pure. Legion but singular. Many in the shape of one.
This blurred the line between the Luciferian and the Godly. Kudos.
Winery Website- http://www.penfolds.com/
I think it wasn't so much that he left Penfolds as the Fosters wine honchos tapped him on the shoulder and said 'we have a new project for you grasshopper'.
'Crawf' is a nice bloke actually and an unquestionably talented winemaker. I haven't tasted the most recent Devils Lair releases but the word on the street is that they are good, if not better than good.
Thanks for the info AG, I had no idea as to the reasons for his move to Devil's Lair.
I've liked the past few DL Chardonnays and the 2008, which I think would be the first he could put a real stamp on, is a very good wine at a good price. I've not tried the reds but I'll get there.
To be honest (which is an aim on this site), I don't think I gave his work at Penfolds enough time to make a fair assessment. That will change henceforth. If he had any significant role in the wine above, I thoroughly applaud him for it.