Moores Hill 2020 Riesling

 

Moores Hill is a boutique, family-operated winery in the Tamar Valley that has a formidable reputation for producing delightful cool-climate rieslings. Established in 1997, Moores Hill is 120 metres above sea level and is one of the coolest sites on the West Tamar. This is a delicious summer wine, alive with grapefruit and lemon notes, with plenty of length and lashings of vibrant acidity, although it has settled comfortably into its skin in recent months. Pair with oysters, a seafood platter or just enjoy on the veranda after work. $35. www.mooreshill.com.au/

Bream Creek 2015 Cuvee Traditionelle

 

Tasmania's reputation for stellar sparkling wine releases is growing all the time; and this was one of the stars of the recent Effervesence festival; an impressive blend of pinot noir and chardonnay grapes that have spent five years on lees building complexity and palate interest. From a very good vintage in Tasmania, this has taken the show circuit by storm with a collection of trophies and medals. Floral and aromatic, crisp and dry with citrus, white stone fruit and yeasty elements in impressive harmony, this would be a very good choice as an aperitif for a family Christmas celebration, or enjoyed on the beach with freshly shucked oysters. $48. www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au/

MacLean Bay 2021 Pinot Rosé

 

Summer is just around the corner (even though it is snowing in parts of Tasmania today). This is the perfect wine choice for enjoying well chilled on a warmer day; a delightfully frisky pinot noir rosé from a vineyard at Bicheno on the east coast. Made from 100% estate-grown pinot noir that was handpicked, this has some lovely raspberry/strawberry and cream fruit characters but finishes with crisp dry acid on the palate. Perfect for a picnic, or enjoying with a Lebanese mezze platter. $28.

Apogee 2018 Deluxe Vintage Rosé

 

This was one of the many shining lights of last week's Effervescence 2021 Tasmania sparkling wine festival. Apogee means "peak achievement" or "highest point" and is the boutique label of one of the island state's winemaking pioneers, Andrew Pirie. A blend of pinot noir (89%), chardonnay (16%) and pinot meunier (5%) it has a delightful freshness and vibrancy with red berry fruit characters allied to hints of salty sea spray. Oxidatively whole-bunch pressed with a small portion aged in older French oak, it spent just under two years on lees to add complexity. Flavours range from raspberry to blood orange with appealing grip on the palate. Food friendly, too. $75. https://www.apogeetasmania.com/

Marco Lubiana 2020 Chardonnay

 

The new generation is making a big impact. Marco Lubiana is the son of Stefano Lubiana, one of Tasmana's star wine producers, and is farming the organic and biodynamic Lucille vineyard at Cradoc in the Huon Valley (formerly known as Panorama). This is Marco's second Lucille chardonnay and it is hugely impressive; quintessentially cool climate and very cohesive. This is hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed, then aged in French oak with no fining. Made in tiny quantities so be quick, or miss out. $50. https://marcolubiana.com.au/

Tolpuddle Vineyard 2020 Pinot Noir

 

Tolpuddle Vineyard was established in 1988 and has gone from strength to strength over the past decade since being sold to the team behind Shaw + Smith in the Adelaide Hills. The vineyard is just outside Richmond in the Coal River Valley has light silica soil over sandstone that produce wines of style and elegance. This is undoubtedly one of Tasmania's finest pinots - and sells out soon after release. It is aromatic, medium bodied with savoury and spice notes and impeccable length. Vigorous vineyard work results in a wine of vigour. $95. www.tolpuddlevineyard.com/

Ponting 2020 Mowbray Boy Pinot Noir

 

To be brutally honest, I did not have high hopes for this wine. Ricky Ponting is well-known for his cricketing feats, less so for his knowledge of viticulture, while winemaker Ben Riggs usually concentrates his efforts on warm-climate grapes like shiraz. I'm very happy to have been proved wrong. This is a very nifty young Tamar Valley pinot noir made from fruit grown a few sixes away from where Ponting grew up in the Launceston suburb of Mowbray. The duo have come up trumps. very good drinking: vibrant, crunchy and varietal. $36. https://pontingwines.com.au/