Apogee Alto 2020 Pinot Gris

 

Andrew Pirie is the eminence gris of the wine industry in Tasmania; the man behind many labels and standout wines. It is appropriate, then, that one of the stellar wines in Pirie's tiny Apogee catalogue is a a benchmark cool-climate pinot gris that sits firmly on the Alsace side of the gris/grigio spectrum without any oily excesses. This new release is both floral and substantial with pear flavours, minerality and a fleshy softness on the finish. There is plenty of palate texture, thanks to brief skin contact and partial malo. Lovely drinking in its youth - with plenty of potential. $44. www.apogeetasmania.com.  

Stefano Lubiana 2015 Brut Rosé

 

For over 30 years now, Steve Lubiana has been at the forefront of viticultural and wine-making innovation in Tasmania; leading the way with organic and biodynamic methods. Lubiana produces a wide range of offerings from his vineyard at Granton, just north of Hobart, including several outstanding sparkling wines.This one hits the bullseye with its style and sophistication. Made from 100% pinot noir grapes, it strikes just the right balance between red berry fruit sweetness and fresh, zingy acid and dryness on the finish. Aromatic, enticing and very classy. $58. www.slw.com.au/

Chatto 2019 Marion's Pinot Noir

 

Jim Chatto is the man with the Midas touch. Even when things go horribly wrong, he is still able to produce outstanding wines. The Marion's Pinot Noir is a one-off release after smoke from bushfires wiped out the 2019 vintage in his Huon Valley vineyard. Chatto was still able to produce three excellent pinots including this one from Marion's Vineyard, in the Tamar Valley, just north of Launceston. This is in the Central Otago spectrum, powerful but with its own savoury structural subtleties. It should cellar brilliantly - but with only 230 cases made it might pay to move quickly. $65. www.chattowines.com/

Gala Estate 2020 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Gala Estate is the second-oldest family business in Tasmania, having transitioned from farming to wine production. The wines are on a very fast upward rise. This is a delicious aromatic wine for summer enjoyment with gooseberry and passionfruit flavours to the fore and minimal herbal notes. Fresh and clean with a brisk acid finish this would pair well with fresh crayfish, scallops or salads. $32. www.galaestate.com.au/

Wolfe At The Door 2020 RGG

 

The Wolfe at the Door range from Wellington & Wolfe duo Hugh McCullough and Natalie Fryar comprises fun, affordable blends. Billed as "natural and no fuss" the blends will change each year, depending on the fruit, the season, and the batches. This is a bright, crunchy wine with colourful packaging that's perfect for summer quaffing. This blend comprises iesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer that is unfined, unfiltered and made with minimal so2. Dry, textural and dangerously drinkable. $25. https://wellingtonwolfe.com/

Hughes & Hughes 2020 Dunkel Spritz

 

Here's a delicious pet nat for chilled summer enjoyment. The Mewstone vineyards are in the south of the state but the fruit for this Hughes & Hughes offering comes from dornfelder grapes grown at White Rock vineyard in the state's north-west, picked at 11 baume and then whole-bunch pressed. Bottled during primary ferment to capture the bubbles; unfined and unfiltered. Low in alcohol at 11.9% and a deliciously refreshing choice for enjoying on the back verandah on a summer evening. It is vibrantly aromatic with berry fruit flavours, gentle fizz and subtle hits of sourness. $35. https://mewstonewines.com.au/hughes-and-hughes-wine-brand 

Kate Hill 2012 Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir

 

Talented Kate Hill sourced the fruit for this very agreeable sparkling wine from vineyards in the Coal and Huon valleys in the far south of Tasmania. The 2012 vintage delivered low yields and generous natural acidity and while this wine has spent close to eight years on lees for added complexity it retains youthful perkiness and fresh citrus fruit flavours along with some yeasty creaminess on the finish. Complex and rewarding. $47. www.katehillwines.com.au