Hughes & Hughes 2024 Rosé

 

This brand-new release is a delightfully food-friendly rosé from the Hughes brothers of Mewstone fame; an impressive savoury drink that will star when the sun is shining a little more. The problem is, however, that many wines from this stable sell out within months, so it may all be sold by summer. Move quick. This is - confoundingly for those who have been told that rosés are not a mix of red and white grapes - a blend of syrah, tempranillo and chardonnay from both the south and north-west  of Tasmania, barrel fermented with wild yeasts and matured in tank (for just a few weeks). It is unfined, unfiltered and very delicious. Fewer than 800 cases were made. Pair this with a Lebanese mezze plate and chill - but not too much. $35. https://www.mewstonewines.com.au/hugheshughes-wines    

Wines by Aunt Alice 2023 Ocean Chardonnay

 
So you love Chablis, but want to drink Tasmanian? Former Norfolk Rise and Karatta winemaker Alice Davidson, now based at Franklin in the Huon Valley, has the answer. Now a negociant/producer, Davidson uses grower fruit from across Tasmania to produce wines that are both edgy and delicious. The range also includes an unusual, but beguiling, oaked riesling and a whole-bunch driven pinot noir, but this is the star of the show for me; pure, focused and fruit-driven chardonnay. It is made from Tamar Valley fruit, hand-picked and barrel fermented with 15% new oak, a small portion of malo, and bottled unfined. But forget all that. It is, quite simply, a bloody lovely drink. Close to sold out, so be very quick. $50. https://www.auntalice.com.au/

Glaetzer-Dixon Family Winemakers 2021 Reveur Pinot Noir

Here is a serious, cellar-worthy pinot noir for those who enjoy their red wines with intensity and complexity. A blend of fruit from two Coal River Valley vineyards, it is dark and composed with plummy and black cherry characters front and centre with some classic cool-climate spice notes and some restrained oak influence. This is a finely poised wine, impressively balanced, that can be enjoyed in the short term, or benefit from 5-10 years of cellaring. $56. https://www.gdfwinemakers.com/

Holm Oak 2023 The Wizard Chardonnay

So you like your chardonnays with complexity and texture? You’ve come to the right place. This is the top of the range chardonnay from Tamar Valley producers Holm Oak - and it really hits the mark for anyone looking for an elegant but full-flavoured chardy. Barrel fermentation with 66% new oak and 100% wild fermentation, followed by two-thirds malo has given this plenty of oomph while retaining varietal character. More on the stone fruit side of the spectrum with some appealing herbal notes and vanilla oak making an impact without intruding. From a very good vintage for quality, this would pair well with shellfish dishes, or perhaps a creamy seafood risotto. $65. https://www.holmoakvineyards.com.au/

Delamere 2022 Block 8 Pinot Noir

 

This is the flagship pinot noir in Delamere's impressive range - and undoubtedly one of the best in Tasmania. Wife and husband team Fran Austin and Shane Holloway craft some exquisite estate wines from their vineyards at Pipers Brook in the north of the state. This has varietal character, complexity and impressive structure, along with a big dollop of yum. The Block wines - there is also an impressive 2022 Block 3 Chardonnay - come from the best two or three barriques of each vintage. This is made from 40+ year old vines with 30% whole bunch adding textural feel. There were only 600 bottles made, so it will be the quick and the thirsty who will be lucky, even at $135 a bottle. www.delamerevineyards.com.au     

Five Bob 2022 Pinot Noir

 

Five Bob is the newest label in the fast-emerging d'Entrecasteaux region south of Hobart. New vineyards were planted in 2018 to the two varieties that shine in southern Tasmania; pinot noir and chardonnay, along with some pinot gris and riesling. This has an appealing youthful energy to it, with vibrant varietal characters and plenty of vim and vigour. Five Bob is located at Birchs Bay and the wines are made - in tiny quantities - just down the road at Mewstone by talented Jonny Hughes. Think 20% whole bunch, gently pressed, and aged in seasoned French oak. Unfiltered and unfined, Only 780 bottles made. One for drinking in its youth, I think, and it paired well with lamb burgers and Mediterranean vegetables. $45..https://fivebob.com.au/

Glaetzer Dixon Family Winemakers 2023 Überblanc

Überblanc is winemaker Nick Glaetzer's Tasmanian tribute to the elegant style of rieslings made in Pfalz region of Germany - an area he worked in while learning his craft. Glaezter, who works from an urban winery in Hobart (visit if you get the chance), is best known for his red wines, but this has a cult following for its crisp but textural appeal. It is beautifully balanced with lees treatment adding to the mouthfeel and structure. Think citrus; think minerality, think immediate drinking pleasure. The fruit is a blend of 70% Tamar Valley from the north of Tasmania and 30% from the Coal River Valley outside Hobart. $30 each by the dozen from the webiste. We paired this with seared tuna and aubergine. It worked a treat. https://www.gdfwinemakers.com/