Since 1950 the Crossing family have farmed the Angullong property which sits on the foothills of Orange’s Mount Canobolas. In 1998 the family diversified into winegrowing. The initial plantings comprised a wide-ranging selection of varieties. After considerable time and with the maturing of vines, the Crossing Reserve Harriet was released. Named in honour of the Crossing family matriarch, Hatty Crossing, it is a unique blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Montepulciano; varieties that have proven themselves on the high, cool climes of Orange.
“We spent many years developing this blend,” says Angullong’s Ben Crossing. “The varieties work well on our vineyard, which sits at an elevation of over 600 metres. It’s slightly warmer than higher up the mountain, but still very much cool climate, and is perfect for these later ripening varieties.
“Over the years we have played around with the various components. The 2022 vintage comprises 40 per cent Sangiovese, 40 per cent Montepulciano and 20 per cent Sagrantino. The parcels were matured in oak puncheons for 12 months, followed by time in bottle prior to release.”
The partner to this new release is the 2023 Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Chardonnay. “This is our first reserve Chardonnay,” continues Ben. “We have been working on this wine for many years. We have built it up via our ‘Fossil Hill’ range, where we have earmarked certain blocks in the vineyard, and then refined it through barrel selection in the winery. The wine includes a component of the Bernard clones of chardonnay that we have in the vineyard.
“The region’s Chardonnay is going from strength to strength and the combined, shared knowledge and expertise is a real boon. All the region’s winemakers are keen to see the region’s quality build, and with a healthy dose of competition, there is a real drive to see Orange as one of Australia’s iconic Chardonnay growing regions.”
The new Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Chardonnay was hand harvested and fermented in seasoned French oak, with a further ten month’s maturation prior to six months bottle age prior to release.
"94 PointsThis first Reserve Chardonnay from Ben Crossing and the Angullong team is a vibrant, still youthful, exuberant wine. The upfront aromas and flavours display fulsome notes of green apples, white nectarine, lime and almond toasty nuttiness. These characteristics swirl and unfurl on breathing leading to crisp, flavoursome palate fulness. It is currently bright, textural and generous in its display of upper echelons of cool-climate Chardonnay attributes. One worth enjoying now but will keep rewarding over the next 3 to 5 years. "Winelines, Gilbert Labour
