Angullong Wines has paid tribute to the Crossing family’s matriarch, Hatty Crossing, with the release of their 2019 Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Harriet ($48). The new wine joins the recently released 2018 Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon ($48).
The Crossing family purchased the historic Angullong property in the NSW highlands in 1950. Prior to Bill and Hatty Crossing purchasing the property, Angullong was instrumental in the development of the region’s wool and lamb production, shearing 30,000 sheep annually in the early twentieth century.
Bill and Hatty and their family continued this tradition, before planting grapevines in 1998. The vineyards sit on the 600-metre contour around the extinct volcano Mount Canobolas, the slightly warmer ripening conditions being perfectly suited to the cool climate red varieties.
With a focus on emerging Italian varieties, the new 2019 Angullong Crossing Reserve Harriet is a blend of the vineyard’s best parcels of Sangiovese (40%), Sagrantino (30%) and Montepulciano (30%).
“We have been working towards this reserve wine for a number of years,” says Ben Crossing. “Each year we experimented with a number of varieties, and it wasn’t until the 2019 vintage that we were happy with the result.”
The grapes were fermented separately prior to blending. The wine was then matured in seasoned French oak puncheons for 18 months followed by a further six months in bottle.
“As with our other reserve wines, its release will be determined by the quality of the season. The wine will, however, always be a blend of these Italian varieties (Mum’s favourites) and made to highlight the terroir of our site, rather than any one particular variety.”
Joining the new Harriet is the 2018 Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon. “Orange region cabernet sauvignon can be fickle,” continues Ben. “Our substantial Cabernet plantings are over 20 years old, so we are in an enviable position to select some fantastic fruit from mature vines. The grapes usually come from the same block, and even the same rows, and really it’s a matter of looking after the pristine fruit.”
In the winery, the wine was fermented with a submerged cap, with twice daily gentle pump-overs to facilitate colour and flavour development. The wine was then matured in a combination of French puncheons, (30% new and 70% 2 and 3-year-old) for 12 months, followed by further bottle maturation.
Pricing:
2019 Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Harriet (Orange Region) $48.00
Bottle shot download
2018 Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (Orange Region) $48.00
Bottle shot download
Distribution: The Angullong range of wines are distributed in NSW and QLD by Fisher Fine Wines. The wines are available directly from the Cellar Door and via angullong.com.au.
For further information, interviews and images please contact:
David Cumming at Define Wine Marketing & Communications: 0414 736 342 or david@definewine.com.au
Ben Crossing, General Manager at Angullong Wines: 0428 586 802 or ben@angullong.com.au
Angullong Wines is located on the picturesque foothills of Orange’s Mount Canobolas in Wiradjuri country. The property has been in the Crossing family since 1950 and has been run as a successful sheep and cattle station prior to diversifying into grape growing and winemaking in 1998. In 2009 Angullong opened their cellar door in the historic bluestone stables in the village of Millthorpe. The Angullong Crossing Reserve range comprises Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the new Harriet blend.