Josef Chromy 2023 Pinot Gris

Tasmania produces such outstanding sparkling wines, and table pinot noirs and chardonnays, that other varieties tend to sit in their shadows. Pinot gris is one such example, with this offering delightful aromas and textures from a winery that should be on the radar of any wine lover visiting Tasmania with its excellent cellar door and on-site restaurant. Think melon and stone/tropical fruit notes, a hint of spice and plenty of summer refreshment. Made 100% from fruit grown in the north of Tasmania, this can be paired with anything from dim sums to spicy Portuguese chicken. $35. josefchromy.com.au

Domaine A 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

This is definitely not what most wine lovers would expect from a Tasmanian red. It's made from cabernet sauvignon for heaven's sake. It is 10 years old and still on sale through cellar door. And it is a triumph for lovers of classic Bordeaux-style wines, a tribute to the foresight of the late Peter Althaus who realised that his little hotspot vineyard in the Coal River Valley could enable grape varieties like cabernet and merlot to shine on the Apple Isle. This is a mature textural and savoury wine, certainly, but it retains intensity and style alongside its secondary characters. Made with minimal intervention, this spent 30 months in French oak and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. It was brilliant with a chunk of Red Leicester cheese. $115. https://domaine-a.com.au/ 

Bream Creek Vineyard 2022 Reserve Chardonnay

 

Looking for an excellent example of precise, pleasurable cool-climate Tasmanian chardonnay? This one delivers in spades. Fred Peacock and his team at Bream Creek on the Tasman Peninsula have built a formidable reputation for consistency and value - and this lives up to those levels. It is a serious wine made from the top 15% of the chardonnay produced. Think white peach, zingy grapefruit and well judged oak in a support role. Delicious with poultry dishes, this one. It is, sadly, sold out at cellar door but you might find some in retail outlets. It's certainly worth a look. Oh, and if you are in Tasmania, the Bream Creek cellar door is one of the best in the state. $50. https://www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au/

Holm Oak Vineyards 2022 Pinot Noir

Wine lovers across Australia just can't get enough of cool-climate pinot noir from Tasmania, with premium bottlings selling for three-figure sums and often sold out within a few months of release. From a small family-owned and -operated vineyard in the Tamar Valley this is undoubtedly one of the best pinot noir buys from the Apple Isle right now - it is delightfully varietal, very composed and excellent value. It paired brilliantly with some slightly runny Delice de Bourgogne cheese. Think black cherry and spice, hints of minerality and impressive tannin structure. Drink now, or cellar for a few years. $40. https://www.holmoakvineyards.com.au/