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/. 

Mumm Terroirs NV Tasmanian Brut Prestige

 

Leading sparkling winemaker Trina Smith has just released a range of southern hemisphere sparkling wines for Champagne House GH Mumm, a company with almost two centuries of experience. There are three New Zealand releases and this excellent Tasmanian iteration that my tasting group felt offered outstanding value for money. It is certainly very pleasing to find a sub-$40 Tasmanian bubbly. This pinot-led release has plenty of length and depth of flavour, but is also impressively vibrant and light on its feet. Excellent as an aperitif, but also very food friendly, it has freshness and acid vitality and would be a very good Aussie choice over the holidays. $38.

Sailor Seeks Horse 2023 Pinot Noir

 

Those in the know when it comes to cool-climate pinot noir have the name Sailor Seeks Horse in their notebooks. Paul and Gilli Lipscombe have built a formidable reputation for the quality of their estate wines grown at Cradoc in the Huon Valley. This is a pinot with impressive tension; there's a panoply of flavours on the palate, but aligned to a sense of calmness and cohesion. This a classic style with immediate appeal, along with medium-term cellaring potential. The balance between fruit and savoury characters and some grippy tannins make this beguilingly rustic. $70. https://www.sailorseekshorse.com.au/