-
96
/ 100
Sam Kim -
95
/ 100
Wine Pilot -
94
/ 100
James Halliday's Wine Companion
White
Classification
Chardonnay
Variety
2021
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
Australia
Country
Tasmania, Coal River
Region
13.5%
Alcohol %
10-15 Years
Cellaring
Scores
96 / 100"This is immediately appealing on the nose with ripe stone fruit, vanilla, Savoury pastry and cedar characters, followed by a wonderfully weighted palate delivering terrific richness with refinement and classic structure. Multi-layered with graceful opulence. At its best: now to 2031."
- Sam Kim
95 / 100
"White lilies, juiced lemons and nashi pear. Blue river stones struck against one and another, it’s so present you can almost hear it. Look, it's hard not to get carried away when Chardonnay is this good! Pomelo pith, Danish feta and polenta. The fruit feels perfectly ripe, like it took its time and unfurled when it was good and ready, no rush, just taking life day by day. It’s followed by a bath of natural acidity and a creaminess of butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Oak is of the classiest kind and harmonies like a choir. It’s delectable, lick the spatula clean. It's that good! Drinking well now but will cellar upwards of 8 years. This would look like a beacon of hope sitting beside a pillowy bowl of mashed potatoes, ah yeah that’s it, just give the girl what she wants!"
- Wine Pilot
94 / 100
"Fruit from some the best parcels at Riversdale's Coal River Valley vineyard. Light straw in the glass with inviting characters of juicy peach, nectarine, grapefruit and grilled figs. Tight acidity frames the ripe fruit nicely on a backdrop of dreamy, nutty French oak, vanillin and nougat. A subtle squeak of phenolics adds texture as the wine fades slowly with memories of stone fruit and oatmeal."
- James Halliday's Wine Companion
Tasting Notes
Named after the constellation above due to the Estate’s proximity to the Grote Reber Radio Telescope, the Crater range has been one of the most acclaimed chardonnay labels in Tasmania. Winning over 14 trophies & 25 Gold medals this label is the purest expression of chardonnay Riversdale can offer. The winemaking process is often a reflection on the subtle & pure characters the fruit shows, therefore a balance of new & old oak is required along with the additive of life, time.
8 months on lees, part natural and part inoculated ferment. Powerful expression of Chardonnay: Big bang chardonnay galaxy nose with lanolin, vanilla, toasty oak, lemon butter and yellow citrus spectrum, egg shell and some struck match/cooked bacon characters. The full oak bracketing a super lemon curd and tangy grapefruit line. Layers of flavour supplemented by spice. Finishes with quite a drying grippy experience before the trail of stars brings puckering acidity. A white giant.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity