Domaine A 2017 Pinot Noir

 

The Stoney Vineyard in the Coal River Valley is a rare vineyard site;capable of producing red wines of style and swagger in even the most difficult of vintages. Domaine A is now owned by Moorilla, but this was made by the late former owner Peter Althaus, something of a Tasmanian wine legend. It is a very serious pinot indeed, with a stern face that quickly reveals a softer side. This is made from low-yielding vines that produce fruit of real intensity, and 18 months in French oak has added character and complexity. There are also slight hints of eucalypt to convince you that you are not drinking a Burgundy. Unfined, unfiltered and just marvellous paired with a veal escalope. $85. https://domaine-a.com.au/   

Small Wonder 2022 Riesling

 

Tasmania is best known for its stellar sparkling wines, along with still wines made from pinot noir and chardonnay. Riesling remains a well-kept secret, but this Tamar Valley vineyard has an impressive track record of producing fine, dry rieslings with well-balanced acid. Small Wonder is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Goaty Hill, which was one of my favourite riesling producers. Now under new ownership, the quality remains intact. This has plenty of citrus flavours, energetic minerality and impressive acid drive on the palate. Match with oysters, fish and chips or some Korean barbecue. Lovely stuff and excellent value. $32. www.smallwonderwines.com.au/     

Delamere 2016 Tasmania Sparkling Cuvee

 

I shared a bottle of this one with my tasting group and then regretted it because I wished I had kept it for myself. Only joking, but it is an outstanding Tasmanian sparkling wine made by husband and wife team Shane Holloway and Fran Austin - one of several stellar bubblies in the estate-grown and -made Delamere range. There is delightful elegance and balance here with florals, citrus and mineral notes to the fore in a blend of two-thirds chardonnay and one-third pinot noir. The vineyard was first established in 1982 making it one of the oldest in Pipers River and the fruit has piercing intensity. Seriously delicious. $55. www.delamerevineyards.com.au/

Maclean Bay 2022 Tasmania Pinot Rosé

Maclean Bay is one of the more recent arrivals on the wine scene in Tasmania, and the pinot noir specialist remains something of a secret. Not for much longer I'd hazard a guess given my recent tastings of the 2021 Pinot Noir and this 2022 rosé that cries out to be enjoyed well chilled on a warm summer day. Maclean Bay is based just north of Bicheno on the warmer east coast of Tassie, and its wines have plenty of ripe fruit drive about them. This is made 100% hand-picked estate-grown pinot noir and offers excellent value. Think liquid strawberries and cream. $32. www.macleanbaywines.com.au/

Barringwood 2021 Pinot Noir

 

Instant gratification. This is the entry level wine of the three pinots in the Barringwood range, but it offers the most immediate pleasure with its bright fruit. This is a blend of grapes from three different regions of Tasmania, but from vineyards all owned by the family: the original vineyard near Lake Barrington and younger vines at Evandale, and on the east coast. This was one of the stars of the recent Mould+Pinot Palooza tasting in Hobart with its lively cherry and red berry juiciness, with savoury and deli notes filling out the palate. You could even chill this slightly on a warm day. Lovely stuff - and a great choice for pairing with a cheese platter. $40. www.barringwood.com.au

Spring Vale 2022 Pinot Gris

 

Pinot gris from Tasmania is often under-rated because the Apple Isle produces so many stellar bubbles, pinots noir and chardonnays. This new release is right in the zone between the gris and grigio styles with Spring Vale having toned back on ripeness and upped freshness. This fifth-generation family operation is located at Cranbrook on the Freycinet Coast and is well worth a visit with its atmospheric cellar door. Think pear and citrus aromas leading on to a palate with plenty of depth - thanks to maturation on lees - but also some lively fruit on the finish. Pair with local seafood, or a chicken schnitzel. $34. www.springvalewines.com/

Freycinet Vineyard 2022 Schönburger Riesling

 

Claudio Radenti and his talented team at Freycinet Estate on Tasmania's east coast make a number of wines more serious than this one; but few that are as much fun for immediate drinking pleasure, This unusual blend screams "chill me, drink me" over the summer period. The schönburger grape is a hybrid developed in Germany that has found a home in Tasmania and it makes for a happy marriage when blended with riesling; adding tropical fruit notes to the citrus and acidity of the riesling. The blend is 55% schönburger and 45% riesling and it finishes crisp acid with touch of residual sugar. Pair with Thai, or Korean, dishes, or perhaps fish and chips. Value with a capital V for $28. http://freycinetvineyard.com.au/