Top 100 Australian Wines

Our Cri de Coeur came in at number 76 out of his top 100 Australian wines.

Pretty good! James Suckling is a US wine writer - and is very well respected. To make his top 100 is a great achievement. This is what James had to say:

Rollo Crittenden is not afraid to play the long game, and so he nestled this wine under flor for three years in untopped barrels, a mode known as “sous-voile” in France’s Jura region.  The result is a wildly complex yet precise white that has clear, savory, flor-derived characterwith lemon peel and toasted almond. Fragrant dried brown spices, too. The palate rings  clear with a fresh flush of acidity and briny, mineral tones to the zesty lemon flavors, aheadof a smoothly nutty twist to close. So much to like here. Drink now. 96 points

James Suckling

TOP 100 Wines of Australia 2021

17/02/2022 at 2:02 PM Permalink

Shakespeare in the Vines - 14 March 2022

Tickets are now on sale for our annual Shakespeare in the Vines Production here on the lawns overlooking the Crittenden Estate lake.

We will be hosting Essential Theatre for our fifth year for the production "As you like it". Picnic food available when you book or BYO hamper. No BYO drinks....Click here for bookings and further information. 

30/11/2021 at 3:19 PM Permalink

Wine Centre reopening

After announcements yesterday regarding reopening of the state we are delighted to be welcoming guests back for tastings and onsite sales on Saturday 23rd October.

We'd encourage customers to book for their tasting online or by phoning 5987 3800. Come and see our cellar door refurb and makeover - photos coming soon! 

18/10/2021 at 1:36 PM Permalink

BEST DRINK IN AUSTRALIA

On Friday October 15th, at a virtual ceremony for the 2021 Drink Easy Awards, our Cri de Coeur 2016 Savagnin was announced overall winner and Best Drink in Australia. 

"We were absolutely delighted and a little bit stunned to be the recipients of this award. What made this award even more humbling was the fact that the competition spans all beverage genres – from non-alcoholic through to spirits and everything in between. The team at Crittenden would like to thank everyone who has supported us on this crazy journey in producing such a challenging and obscure wine style and in particular to acknowledge the Drink Easy team for championing emerging drinks of all makes and models which may not have a home in conventional circles."

Rollo Crittenden, on behalf of everyone at Crittenden Estate. 

For a short four minute video showing the presentation of the award click the following:

https://youtu.be/Z_246P2H1OU

18/10/2021 at 10:22 AM Permalink

Catto in the media

This is a new wine from retired-but-you-can’t-stop-him winemaker Garry Crittenden. Garry Crittenden is of course the person responsible for bringing Italian varieties to the masses, so to speak; his work with these varieties was pioneering in this country to say the least. It turns out that, unbeknownst to him, and only recently discovered, his (sadly, late) wife Margaret has Italian ancestry. Her ancestral surname is Catto. This wine is something of a dabble and yet it’s also heart and soul stuff, almost by accident.....

This is part of Campbell Mattinson's write up in The Wine Front in October 2021 just after Catto has been released. We think it sums it up beautifully. Read on for the second part of his review:

And what a delightful wine it is. Truly delightful. I’d say that it’s arrestingly good save for the fact that it’s quieter than that. It has an elegance, unusual for this variety. Leather, raspberry, earth and sweet meat characters flow charmingly throughout, fine fingers of tannin then dancing through the finish. It’s the kind of wine you want to buy by the case. Campbell Mattinson The Wine Front

Juicy, spicy, red cherry, kirsch, Righteous start. Flesh and crispness in the palate, tasty lil number with vibrancy and clarity on its side. Very nero vibes. It’s a ripping drink. Mike Bennie The Wine Front

The colour is youthfully bright, medium to deep purple/ red, and the nose has peppery, dried-spice savouriness, while the palate reveals sour cherry flavours of good intensity and mouth-filling properties. A scent of raspberry milkshake later. The tannins are present and slightly gritty but do their job discreetly. There’s an exotic feel to this wine. It’s different. Huon Hooke The Real Review

Click here for links to reviews in full and to purchase Catto.

18/10/2021 at 10:03 AM Permalink