Woods Crampton was established by brothers Peter & Rob Woods in 2006. It has since become a staple of the Barossa. Woods Crampton is a small winemaker who loves modernist Italian varietals. They also make small-batch wines that are expressive and balanced. The Woods brothers blend diverse terroirs and use techniques that are reminiscent of Italy, their beloved homeland. They focus on native grape varieties to achieve unexpected results. These wines are balanced and modern and will make you want to go clubbing.
Woods Crampton, a small winemaker, has accomplished a lot within a short period. Woods Crampton is “the straight men of Barossa’s new wave.” They make modern and balanced wines that are a far cry from the fruit bombs from the past. The Blenkiron Vineyard is a 60-year-old, pedigreed vineyard located in the Eden Valley with low yields on its rootstocks. Hand-picked at less than 2 tonnes per acre. Burgundian techniques are used, along with a “hands-off” philosophy. Hand-picked fruit is chilled overnight before being soaked in cold water for seven days. Fruit is de-stemmed, allowed to reach room temperature, and then transferred into two-tonne fermenters.
25% of the whole bunches are laid on the bottom. The cap was held down while hand plunging, and a very slow, cool fermentation was performed. The ferment was pressed to two grams in an old pneumatic press that was very gentle. It then went into a settling vessel to finish the fermentation. Fruit was transferred to large and medium format French oak barrels, approximately 50% new. The barrels were topped up every six weeks, but the wine was not racked for 18 months. The wine was not filtered but given a coarse filter and dash of sulfur just before bottling. The winter and spring of 2016 were much wetter than normal, increasing the soil moisture in the region. The months of December, January, and February were cooler than normal, which extended the ripening by 2 to 3 weeks. The slower growth of the berries resulted in a more complex character that winemakers often praise during the best years. Fruit reached ripeness in terms of tannin and flavor, and this will make for very good wines. Rich, dark, and brooding – riper and darker than 2014 while still displaying a whole bunch of aromas and a “cool climate profile.” The palate is effortlessly balanced with powerful plums, blueberries, and exotic spices. The wine’s finesse and length are evident, flowing into a crisp and precise finish defined by silky tannins. If carefully cellared, this wine will reveal its true character in the next 20 years.
