The 2021 estate release are wines grown on Ravensworth’s own immaculate vineyard. Ravensworth also produces a number of excellent wines, with fruit purchased predominantly from Hilltops.
After 20 vintages, owner/winemaker Bryan Martin has refined his style into a thoroughly unique offering. Ravensworth is where the Avant Gard meets the classical, yet nothing is forced or contrived and this marriage should entice anyone on either side of the divide.
As a vintage, 2021 is a year of recovery after eight years of drought and a summer of bushfires. The endless rain of this vintage posed its own challenges, but water tables and dams were replenished and soils revitalised.
The style of the wines is certainly a reflection of vintage, particularly for those who recall the last estate release of 2019. 2021 is about cool flavour profiles, slender frames, excellent acidity, loose knit tannins and open aromatics.
While these are not as dense or structured as the 2019’s, or as voluptuous and broad, the tannins (that holy grail of an Australian wine) are magnificent; present, rich, ripe and perfectly judged. Lithe, linear, finessed and poised, an incredible statement of vintage and the estate’s ability to craft wines according to the nature of the fruit, rather than a predetermined style.
Ravensworth Shiraz Viognier 2021
The most classical wine of the estate and certainly the most recognised. Ethereal with heady aromatics of clove, lavender, violets, plum, dark cherry, cassis, blackberry, mulberry and cola. Lithe and deep, with a vibrancy and fine weave that underscores its power. It’s not so much rich, but deeply flavoured. Pure and mineral, the wine’s savoury elements bubbling below the surface. Luxurious, etched tannins, but loose, unlike the coiled squeeze of the Sangiovese. Gathers weight along the palate, and although drinking beautifully, I feel this wine will reward metamorphose the most of all the wines of this release.
Ravensworth Estate Riesling 2021
A real departure from most Australian Riesling. Idiosyncratic and forget about Clare, Eden, Tasmania or Canberra even, for this is a very different beast. Intense and lifted flavours of cumquat, nectarine, fennel seed, citrus blossom, curry leaf and white peach. Rich and savoury, almost full bodied, and certainly palate coating. It’s slightly textural, with lavender tea flavour and tannin. So many elements all woven perfectly with pinpoint balance. The best release yet.
Invariably one of my favourite wines from Ravensworth and unique in Australia. Viognier 40%, Roussanne 30% and Marsanne 30%, none of these varietals are amongst my favourites, but put together under Bryan Martin, wonderful. Super complex as always, muscly, lithe and rich. Clove, liquorice, cumquat preserve, apricot, white peach nectarine, blood orange and pink grapefruit. Rich and gentle, voluptuous, curvy, savoury spice and notes of tarragon, marjoram and sage. Again the texture is definite, yet gentle, nothing is overdone or in anyway a statement. A real triumph.
Ravensworth Estate Sangiovese 2021
Alongside Fighting Gully Road, the Ravensworth Estate’s 2021 Sangiovese is the finest in Australia. Classic, intensely perfumed Sangiovese aromatics of cherry, cola, aniseed, violets, cassis, fresh earth, subtle smoke and tobacco leaf. Sleek and savoury, with intense fruit, medium bodied and chiselled frame. The tannins are deep and rich, the acidity buoyant and a feature of this release, the elements perfectly weighted and balanced. Gourmand.
Ravensworth Regional Tinto 2022
From fruit grown in Hilltops, predominantly Tempranillo, with lesser quantities of Grenache and Mataro. Yes it’s young and made simply, but the 2022 Tinto is a serious bistro/café/restaurant wine. Dark cherry, blackberry, cherry cola, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate and violets. Tight and fleshy, with rugged mineral tannins. Buoyant and fresh, had this with Chinese style pork fillet and it paired beautifully.
