93 points - "The fruit here is from a single, low yielding and dry grown vineyard situated in Eden Valley. Cold soaking and a slow, temperature controlled ferment. 20% whole bunches with twice daily hand plunging followed by a year and a half maturation in a mix of old and new French oak barriques. From a superb vintage. A very dark maroon, this is a wine with real depth. The nose exhibits notes of chocolate, warm earth, aniseed, bay leaves, black fruits and plums followed up by a lovely chocolatey palate. There is balance and concentration and a really lovely, long finish. A wine with ten years ahead of it, this is a complete wine with so much to love." - Ken Gargett (Wine Pilot)

Summary: For a small winemaker, Woods Crampton has been able to achieve a lot in a small amount of time. “The straight men of the Barossa new wave” Woods Crampton makes contemporary and balanced wines, a world away from the jammy fruit bombs of the past. The range includes a ladder of old vine Barossa Shiraz, complex and thought provoking blends and alternate varietals that may be the future of the valley.

Winemaking: Sourced from a number of low yielding old-vine vineyards on the cooler eastern valley slopes, towards Eden Valley. Chilled overnight before primarily de-stemming and cold soak for five days at eight degrees. Fermentation was a cool twenty five degrees in small open two tonne fermenters with fifteen percent whole bunch and twice daily hand plunging. Matured in small and large format oak barrels, primarily French with some American. The thirty percent new oak component is all French oak. Bottled without fining and with minimal filtration.

Vintage 2022: In 2022 the Barossa experienced outstanding growing conditions. Harvest started approximately 2 weeks later than the past 10 year average with Shiraz being picked mid to late March. A wet spring provided optimal soil moisture throughout the harvest months, spring storms resulted in lower than usual fruit set and although yields were lower the quality was high. Mild summer temperatures facilitated a long and slow ripening period which resulted in optimum colour development, and balance between fruit flavour and tannin.

Tasting Note: A fresh and finessed example of Barossa Shiraz with a fragrant life of Eden Valley fruit. Aromas of black and red fruits and exotic spices with a judicious use of oak. The palate is bold and effortless with a depth of spicy, dark berry fruit flavours wrapped in fine tannins and fresh acidity. Drinking well now but will cellar well for up to five years. Pair with your favourite steak.