Pooley 2020 Oronsay Cooinda Vale Pinot Noir

 

Is this the finest pinot noir in Tasmania? It is certainly a serious contender for the title. Family-owned and -operated Pooley rarely put a foot wrong and produce several excellent pinots at various price points from their base in the Coal River Valley, where they have two estate vineyards. The fruit for this sophisticated, stylish and sensual wine is sourced from the older Cooinda Vale vineyard. Savoury characters and wild berry fruit notes co-exist harmoniously and the wine has excellent, understated structure aided by 50% new French oak. The RMS Oronsay, by the way, was the ship that brought the Pooley family to Australia in 1952. 97 points from me. $120. www.pooleywines.com.au/

Frogmore Creek 2021 Riesling

Dry, food-friendly rieslings are perhaps Tasmania's best-kept wine secret. High in acid when young, they mature slowly and beautifully, offering softness at 2-3 years of age before developing secondary characters. This one from the Coal River Valley - just 20 minutes outside Hobart - stood out from the crowd when tasted recently and would be a delightful foil for some local pan-fried flathead, or fresh oysters. Think zesty citrus notes on the crisp, dry palate with some balancing stony minerality. Lovely drinking - perfect for a pre-dinner tipple. $35. https://frogmorecreek.com.au/  

Craigie Knowe 2021 Estate Chardonnay

 

Tasmania is probably best known for its stellar pinots noirs and sparkling wines, but it also produces a wide range of excellent white table wines, including chardonnays and rieslings. This young chardonnay is a case in point, made from fruit grown on one of the cool Apple Isle's warmer sites on the East Coast on a vineyard planted in 1979 - positively ancient by Tasmanian standards. Well balanced at 12.9% abv, this is a classic cooler-climate chardonnay with stone fruit and citrus notes, a smidgen of oak and some bitey minerality. Pair with American-style pork ribs. Drink now or cellar short term. $38. https://craigieknowe.com.au/   

Holm Oak 2021 Arneis

 

Arneis, also known as nebbiolo bianco, is an Italian grape variety from the Piedmont region. The name means "little rascal" because the grapes are often difficult to manage in the vineyard. In the Tamar Valley, in the north of Tasmania, it has proved a success for husband and wife team Tim and Bec Duffy at Holm Oak. This is a very good medium-bodied, food-friendly alternative to chardonnay with stone fruit characters and fresh appeal to the fore, along with impressive texture. Pair with veal dishes, or perhaps a pasta with mushrooms. $28. www.holmoakvineyards.com.au/