Stoney Rise 2025 Savagnin

There is not much savagnin around. Originally from the Jura region of France, where it is used to make the famous vin jaune oxidative wines, in Australia it was originally erroneously marketed as the Spanish grape albarino. Nowadays it is often confused with sauvignon blanc. In the right hands it makes white wines that are very textural, in this case with salinity and length added by three days of maceration. Stoney Rise winemaker Joe Holyman, a former wicketkeeper for Tasmania, has very steady hands and this is an interesting wine; grippy, food friendly with apple/nutty notes and savoury/spicy hints. You'll find Holyman's sense of humour on the front foot on the back label with nonsense nods to broadbean hotpot, Palatschinke and yodelling. Pair with a cheese platter, or quiche lorraine. $42. https://www.stoneyrise.com/  

Holm Oak 2023 The Wizard Pinot Noir

 

Another outright winner from a family-owned Tamar Valley producer that makes top-notch wines across several price points. Bec and Tim Duffy's vineyard at Rowella produces excellent quality cool-climate fruit and this is estate-grown, made and bottled. It is a wine for those who like their pinots with plenty of flavour and structure. Some of the fruit comes from younger vines with clones selected for offering structure and complexity. The 30% whole-bunch material helps lift the mouthfeel game with maturation in French oak barriques for 12 months. So think dark fruit flavours, well balanced oak and cellaring potential. Save this one for the cooler months and pair with a rich winter casserole. $65.  https://holmoakvineyards.com.au/

Glaetzer Dixon 2019 Mon Pere Shiraz

Cool-climate Tasmanian shirazes are terrific mid-term cellaring prospects, but Nick Glaetzer at Glaetzer-Dixon Family Winemakers has done the work for you, re-releasing two outstanding back vintage examples of the Mon Père Shiraz. GDFW is celebrating 20 years in Tasmania with re-releases of 2018 and 2019 Mon Père. Both are excellent in different ways, but the 2019 is my pick right now. It comes from a cooler year and is more more aromatic and elegant with dark pepper and deli notes along with dark fruits. The 2018 ($90) is richer and rounder, so it is horses four courses. $85. https://www.gdfwinemakers.com/. 

Rivulet 2024 Glaziers Bay Chardonnay

 

Keira O'Brien is a talented winemaker who has worked with some of the best in the business in Tasmania. She sources small amounts of fruit from various vineyards around the state for her small-batch wines under the Rivulet label. This one uses grapes from Owen and Eve Knight's Elsewhere vineyard in the Huon Valley, one of the most southerly in the country. The chardonnay vines here are over 40 years old. This was one of the stars of the Budburst Tassie Wine Expo, with a symphony of flavours - elegant fruit, smartly-judged oak and bight minerality. Simply sensational drinking. Pair with old skool roast chicken and stuffing. $58. https://rivuletwine.com/