Gala Estate 2020 "Emerald" Black Label Syrah

 

Tasmania is not always a happy hunting ground for shiraz. Some regions can be too cold to get the grapes ripe every year, and a few of the wines fail to hit the mark. This is very definitely an exception to that. A very fine medium-bodied shiraz from the warmer east coast, it has plenty of weight and length and is beautifully balanced. A serious food wine, this is varietal and stylish, made with a nod to the wines of the Rhone Valley, hence the use of syrah in the name. The family that owns Gala Estate has seven generations of farming experience and is planting new vineyards as the business expands. A wine producer to watch, with contract winemaker Liam McElhinney kicking a lot of goals. $65. https://www.galaestate.com.au/

Glaetzer-Dixon 2020 Avancé Pinot Noir

 

Looking for a berry fruit-driven young pinot noir with energy and immediate drinkability? You've come to the right place. But Nick Glaetzer's Avancé also has the structure to cellar well in the medium term, should that be your preference. The entry level pinot in the Glaetzer-Dixon range, this is a blend of fruit from the Derwent Valley, north of Hobart, and the Tamar Valley in the north of state and is crafted at an unban winery in downtown Hobart. Soft tannins make it immediately approachable and food friendly. This is lively, vibrant and varietal and formidably good value at $34. https://www.gdfwinemakers.com/   

Hughes & Hughes 2021 Chardonnay

 

Another winner from the Hughes brothers, who are among the shining lights of the wine industry in Tasmania. The Mewstone winery is at Tinderbox, south of Hobart, but this delicious young chardonnay is a blend of fruit from vineyards in the Coal River (Clarence House and Brinktop), Derwent Valley (Kinvarra) and the north-west (White Rock). It is 80% whole-bunch pressed, 20% cold-soaked on skins for five days, all naturally fermented in oak with partial malo and spent five months of lees. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered and is a thoroughly modern, lean and clean taste machine for enjoyment with perhaps a vegetable quiche or roast pork and all the trimmings. Serious satisfaction here. $37. www.mewstonewines.com.au/

Rivulet Wines 2021 Senko

 

This intriguing blend of pinot meunier from the Huon Valley and pinot noir from the East Coast is a recent release but it is already close to being sold out; no surprise given it is such a delightful lighter summer red with real personality. The name comes from a Japanese word meaning a light red, bright flash, or firecracker, Think florals, bright acid, dark cherries/cranberries along with mushroomy/undergrowth characters aided by old oak and lees maturation. There is a brightness and lightness to this beguiling wine. Great work from winemaker Keira O'Brien, but be quick. 94 points from me. $38. www.rivuletwine.com/

Resolution Vineyard 2021 Pinot Noir

From one of the tiniest vineyards in Tasmania - planted exclusively to pinot noir - comes one of the best-value boutique wines in the state. Resolution Vineyard owners Daniel and Caroline Lamont have had to increase prices due to rising costs, but this new vintage is another gem - well worth trying over the Open Vineyards Weekend. Resolution Vineyard is one of the southernmost vineyards in Australia and is closing in on 20 years since it was planted. This is an outstanding vintage that has lovely medium-bodied pinosity and is enjoyable in its youth while offering good cellaring prospects for a decade. Think dark cherry and berry notes and lovely balance at 13% alcohol. Resolution Vineyard is named after Captain Cooks HMS Resolution, which anchored nearby in 1777. $37. www.resolutionvineyard.com.au

Freycinet Vineyard 2020 Riesling

Tasmania is much under-rated as a source of top-notch dry riesling. Freycinet Vineyard, on the warmer east coast, is one of the state's most reliable quality producers and this certainly hits a bullseye when paired either with fresh local seafood or spicy Asian dishes. Young Tasmanian rieslings can be ultra-high in acid when young, and in my opinion are in "the zone" at around two years of age. This is floral and elegant with some lively fresh citrus notes, mineral hints and plenty of length on the palate. Top-notch summer drinking. There is still some of the 2020 vintage available in retail outlet. $32. http://freycinetvineyard.com.au/  

Stargazer 2021 Rada

 

Former Wirra Wirra and Tower Estate winemaker Samantha Connew is now firmly established in the Coal River Valley in Tasmania, where she is crafting a range of idiosyncratic and appealing wines. This is a wild-fermented blend of pinot noir and pinot meunier sourced from the Tamar Valley in the north and the Coal River in the south. It is vibrant and enticing and a perfect choice for a warm evening, perhaps slightly chilled. Juicy and crunchy with bright acidity on the palate, this would pair brilliantly with a gourmet pizza. Love the label artwork from Kate Pietukowski. $35. www.stargazerwine.com.au