Luke Andree is a young Tasmanian viticulturist who also makes small batch wines aside from his main gig at Mewstone Wines. This is delicious riesling named after his son, Jannis, and Jannis Melsheimer, whose family he worked with at Weingut Melsheimer in the Mosel in 2019. The Upper Tamar fruit was whole-bunch pressed and fermented sur lie in puncheons. Think light citrus, grapefuit and blood orange notes, with some phenolics and a whole lot of palate interest. $32. www.sonnenwine.com.au
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.
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/
