Home Hill 2018 Estate Pinot Noir

There is something very special about the Home Hill vineyard at Ranelagh in the Huon Valley, the southernmost region of Tasmania. As if sprinkled with gold dust, year after year Home Hill has managed to produce pinot noirs of exquisite expression. This is a classic cool-climate wine, full of personality and length and boasting beautiful balance despite its intensity. Lashings of dark cherry fruit flavours combine with quality oak and deli nuances for a wine of poise that offers immediate drinking pleasure but will cellar well. A warning: be quick as after several stunning vintages the 2019 vintage was affected by smoke taint. Sleek and chic with layers of flavours, this is excellent buying for $50. www.homehillwines.com.au.      

Tolpuddle 2018 Chardonnay

This is the seventh release from Shaw + Smith's outstanding vineyard in the Coal River Valley, which Martin Shaw considers one of the finest grape-growing sites in Australia. This, to my mind, is the most complete Tolpuddle chardonnay to date; a reflection both of the great growing season but also the ongoing work in the vineyard. It is a very clean and precise chardonnay with bright natural acidity, with lemon zest and sherbet fruit flavours to the fore and nine in months in French oak adding texture without instruding. An instant classic. $75. www.tolpuddlevineyard.com