Bream Creek 2021 Cabernet Merlot

You don't find a lot of Bordeaux-style red blends in Tasmania, with both cabernet and merlot needing a warm micro-climate to deliver quality grapes. This is a traditional Left Bank-accented Bordeaux blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon and 45% merlot, sourced from the Pages Creek vineyard at Tea Tree. The wine has been aged for 12 months in a combination of new and used French oak barrels and is an aromatic, medium-bodied red with mulberry and bramble characters to the fore, with just a hint of the herbal green notes traditionally found in "clarets". A smooth, subtle number that is designed for sipping, rather than sculling. $36. https://www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au/

Quiet Mutiny 2022 Charlotte's Elusion Pinot Meunier Rosé

 

Summer time is rosé time and this rosé from southern Tasmania is perfect for enjoying well chilled with a picnic or at the beach. It's a lovely laidback wine that's bright and fresh and doesn't demand too much thought - but might well suffer from an evaporation problem. This is made by Greer Carland, formerly of Winemaking Tasmania and the winemaker for her family label Laurel Bank. It is made from pinot meunier - most often used in sparkling wines - sourced from the warmer east coast of Tasmania. Delicious drinking and well priced at $35. https://quietmutiny.wine/ 

Bangor 2020 Abel Tasman Pinot Noir

 

If you enjoy your pinots powerful and with serious structure then this new release from Bangor - on the Tasman Peninsula - will be be right up your alley. Only 250 cases were made of this flagship wine, which is a serious, complex pinot that will reward cellaring for up to a decade as it softens out. Think red fruit flavours, barrel maturation on lees for 10 months in 35% new French oak, hints of nutmeg and defined tannins. Great with mushroom dishes, or a Chinese roast duck. $54. https://bangorshed.com.au/

Freycinet Vineyard 2017 Shiraz

 

If you like your shiraz full of alcoholic grunt and lashings of intrusive new oak then you've come to the wrong place. If you enjoy your shirazes medium-bodied, food friendly and with hints of pepper and spice then welcome. The Freycinet 2017 Shiraz is an estate-grown wine from one of the warmer vineyards on Tasmania's east coast, enabling winemaker Claudio Radenti to produce shirazes with personality and balance. There are some dark fruit flavours, sure, but also hints of Asian spices and some some considered textural elements on the palate. Lovely stuff. Pair with a steak and kidney pie, or some fricasseed mushrooms. $60. http://freycinetvineyard.com.au/