Description
Two men. One set of initials. Robert Crabtree founded this estate in 1984 and built something worth carrying forward. My father Richard Cane — RC — helped us do exactly that. This wine is made in his honour, from the finest parcel of Riesling our Cellar Door block produces each year. It is the best we can do. That feels right.
The RC Riesling is Crabtree’s most personal wine. Each year, we search our Cellar Door block for the finest free-run juice — the purest expression of what Watervale Riesling can be — and we make it only when the vintage truly allows something exceptional to be said. 175 dozen made.
Where the Estate Riesling is bright and immediately expressive, the RC asks for patience. There is real structure and intensity here — a taut, poised wine with penetrating minerality, lemony drive and a finish that goes on longer than you expect. This is Watervale at its most serious.
It has been called “pitch perfect” by Mike Bennie and “exquisitely ethereal” by Ken Gargett. Three reviewers, three scores between 94 and 96 points. We’re proud of what this wine has become — and prouder still of who it’s named for.
"What struck me when we bought Crabtree was that the man who founded it — Robert Crabtree — and the man who made it possible for us to own it — my father Richard Cane — share the same initials. RC. It felt like more than coincidence. This wine carries both their names, but it is made first and foremost as a tribute to Dad. He shows up every single day. He always has."
RC = Robert Crabtree (founder, est. 1984) · Richard Cane (founding shareholder & the hands behind much of what you see here today)
"Only made in the very best vintages, the fruit is from their Cellar Door block on the estate, in the Watervale sub-region. Only free run juice is used. 175 dozen made. Taut, poised and pristine, it might be even better than last year’s stellar release. The colour is a fine pale lemon with flecks of green. Refined and yet still intense, this is a beautifully balanced Riesling. Elegance to the fore throughout, we have notes of grapefruits and limes, as well as hints of jasmine and oystershells. Underlying touches of river stones as well. There is good focus and serious length. An exquisitely ethereal Watervale Riesling, yet there is ample power. This will provide pleasure for at least the next fifteen years, longer if well cellared."
"A classic Clare riesling. All the lime, touches of blackcurrant, green olive, brine and pulpy grapefruit characters combine in a sublimely balanced medley. A little bit of ozone and sea spray lending added charm, too. It’s got poise, fine concentration and uplifting freshness on its side. Pitch perfect."
"Pure Watervale. Sourced from the Cellar Door block and made only from free-run juice, this is a small-production wine that brilliantly captures the fine linear expression of riesling from the region. There is immediate tension, with a penetrating palate of minerally, lemony characters that drive through to a controlled, long finish. The nose is captivating with heady lemon zest that keeps drawing you back. A cracking good wine."
Perfect with
The RC Riesling sits at the top of the Crabtree Riesling family — alongside the Estate Riesling and the Pomona. Three expressions of Watervale, one extraordinary sub-region.
Read about our 2025 Canberra Riesling Challenge results →