Summary: For a small winemaker, Woods Crampton has achieved a lot in a small amount of time. Part of the Barossa new wave, Woods Crampton make contemporary wines, balancing character, complexity and freshness, a world away from the fruit bombs of the past. The Woods Crampton Black Label range are single vineyard wines made in small volumes. Where we started and In many ways the core of the brand. 

 

Vineyard: Sourced from a single, low-yielding and dry grown Eden Valley vineyard located near Cranford not far from the Eden Valley township in southern Eden Valley. 

 

Winemaking: Burgundian techniques and a hands-off philosophy. Hand-picked, an overnight chill and cold-soaked for 5 days at 7 degrees. Allowed to reach ambient temp. in 2 tonne fermenters. Very slow, temperature controlled ferment, twenty percent whole bunch and some wild with the cap held down and hand plungedr twice daily. At two grams pressed in a very old, very gentle pneumatic press. Racked to new & old small format French oak (300 litre) and topped every 6 weeks, not racked or stirred for 18 months. The wine was not fined, given the loosest possible filtration and minimal sulphur before bottling.

 

2018 Vintage: Barossa Winemakers were happy with at the end of vintage citing a high-quality vintage and good yields. Growing season started off well with light rainfall. October and November saw dryer conditions with above average warmer ripening days seeing vine canopies prosper. Dry and warm at the start of the year with just enough rain to retain moisture ensured good even conditions followed by an auspicious Indian Summer with just the right balance of sunshine and rain

 

Tasting Note: A deep and seductive nose, offering a glimpse of the classic violet / five spice perfumed lift of cooler climate Shiraz. The palate is supple and layered yetremains medium to full in body. Vital, dark berry, boysenberry and spice matched to silky tannins and very subtle oak before a long and bright finish. The tannins are wonderfully integrated and impressively smooth. Somewhat an infant now, this wine is showing glimpses of its potential and has a drinking window of two to fifteen years.