Kate Hill Wines 2025 Sauvignon Blanc

There is a delightfully chilled, youthful vibe about this new release from Kate Hill in the Huon Valley. It is a bright, blue-eyed child of a wine, blessed with citrus and tropical fruit notes ahead of light herbaceousness in a style that pays homage to the classic sauvignons of the Loire Valley. Made from southern Tasmanian grower fruit, it spent some time in older oak building mouthfeel and is perfect for late summer enjoyment, perhaps with a quiche and green salad, or maybe sushi/sashimi. I declare some bias here: I have been known to pop up at Kate's cellar door - but I wouldn't do that if I didn't enjoy her wines. Love the colour-coded labels, too. $34. https://www.katehillwines.com.au/

Pooley 2025 Butcher’s Hill Riesling

The Pooley family were pioneers of high-quality winemaking in the Coal River Valley, just past Hobart Airport, and have earned international acclaim. Their cellar door is a "must visit" for wine lovers venturing to Tasmania. They are better known for pinot noir than riesling, but this delicious new release underlines how good the grape variety can be in Tasmania. This is a single vineyard wine with serious structure and depth of flavour; far removed from its "high-acid, drink now" cousins. The 2024 vintage quickly sold out and this will doubtless do the same. There are classic citrus notes here, but also interesting textural notes on the palate. Pair with scallops or pasta dishes with seafood. $70. https://www.pooleywines.com.au/  

 

Resolution Vineyard 2025 Pinot Noir

Resolution Vineyard is something of a wine secret, even to locals in southern Tasmania. The tiny one-hectare property, planted 24 years ago, is tucked away in the hills overlooking the d'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island - next to the local cemetery outside the hamlet of Middleton. The vineyard, owned and operated by the Lamont family, grows only pinot noir and production is the hundreds of bottles, not cases. I tasted this young release, vinified by Alain Rousseau at Frogmore Creek, just after it had been bottled and it needed a couple of hours to relax and show at its it best. I tried it again a few days later and it had come together beautifully; floral, fresh, crunchy and vibrant. $40. www.resolutionvineyard.com.au

www.resolutionvineyard.com.au

Wineglass Bay 2025 Sauvignon Blanc

Tasmania is best known for wines made from pinot noir and chardonnay - but it also produces several other styles, like this super seafood-friendly sauvignon blanc, made by the talented team under Claudio Radenti at Freycinet Vineyard under the Wineglass Bay label, a nod to a beautiful local east coast beach. This is fresh and lively with tropical and herbaceous notes, ripe fruit and zingy acid on the finish. A percentage spent time in seasoned oak barrels to add mouthfeel. It is designed for immediate enjoyment, preferably well chilled. It paired beautifully with avocado and lobster, but would also be great with local oysters. A seriously fun wine. $30. https://freycinetvineyard.com.au/