It's from the East Coast of Tasmania and is estate-grown, hand-picked and artisanally crafted; all of which would normally scream "I'm expensive". Not this wine. The MacLean Bay label, a joint venture between two close friends, Scott Williams and Simon Will, not only offers boutique wines, but also excellent value. This recent release has some delightful floral aromas, fresh berry flavours and a nice brisk finish, along with some faint savoury notes. The vineyard, just north of Bicheno, used to be called Diamond Island. $24. www.macleanbaywines.com.au.
Something new. Something different. Something exciting. Brothers Jonny and Matt Hughes have considerable experience in the Tasmanian wine industry and have now struck out on their own with their Hughes & Hughes label. Based at Flowerpot, in the d'Entrecasteaux Channel south of Hobart, they have released three pinots from the recent 2016 vintage and this small-batch effort really caught my eye. As the label suggests, 20% is whole bunch processed, the remainder being whole berry. It's obviously a young wine, but it has both impressive power and texture. High-quality stuff - and a label worth keeping an eye out for. $33. Call 0439367653.
Bob and Rita Richter, the couple behind Grey Sands Vineyard at Glengarry, march to the beat of a different winemaking drum, which means they can always be relied on to produce idiosyncratic wines with real personality. This blend of 90% chardonnay and 10% viognier is a case in point; a four-year-old white that is a current release; and an unusual blend of grapes. This is an alluring, complex white with a combination of tropical fruit and citrus notes. The viognier adds interesting textural elements and the wine finishes dry with brisk acid. $40. https://greysands.com.au
The perfect choice for summer; a savoury but refreshing cool-climate rosé from talented wife and husband team Fran Austin and Shane Holloway at Pipers River in north-eastern Tasmania. Made from 100% pinot noir, Tasmania's star grape variety, this has delightful floral aromas that lead on to a dry palate with strawberry and cream notes. It is unoaked, relying on fresh fruit flavours for its inherent appeal. Pair with a Lebanese mezze plate, summer salads or just enjoy on the back porch after work.
$25. www.delamerevineyards.com.au.
