Holm Oak 2022 The Wizard Chardonnay

There is a fascinating story behind Holm Oak's flagship chardonnay (see gourmetontheroad.com for details) - but it is also a wine that stands out from the crowd when it comes to quality. It is an elegant but assertive cool-climate chardonnay from the Tamar Valley in the north of Tasmania that has been given the bells and whistles treatment by winemaker Bec Duffy. Think full barrel fermentation, 75% new French oak along with 75% malolactic fermentation and you have a wine with classic chardonnay stone fruit richness, minerality and impressive toasty oak that is well integrated. Pair with a lobster mornay, or a roast chicken with herb stuffing. Be quick, because only four barrels were made. $65. https://www.holmoakvineyards.com.au/

Freycinet Vineyard 2019 Pinot Noir

 

So you love red Burgundy but simply cannot justify the prices? Here is a Tasmanian pinot noir alternative that is simply delightful. From winemaker Claudio Radenti and his talented team on the East Coast - and with a current release that is four years old - this will be a delightful discovery for anyone not au fait with Freycinet Vineyard's excellence across the board. Ripe red berry fruit and dark cherry flavours combine with classic savoury/undergrowth notes, and the complex palate is velvety and lingering with sweet oak playing a key support role. Terrific now - and certain to cellar well. I'd pair this with Chinese roast duck, or fricassee of mushrooms, but the winemaking team suggests matching with with roast veal. It would also be an absolute treat with a gourmet burger. Sold out at cellar door, but worth searching for online. $70. www.freycinetvineyard.com.au

Quiet Mutiny 2022 Venus Rising Pinot Noir

 

Quiet Mutiny is one of several artisan producers in Tasmania with an avid local following that fly under the radar for most mainland wine lovers. The brand, currently starring at the Dark Mofo festival, is the personal project of Greer Carland, who has made wine for several high-profile island producers. Her father owns the Laurel Bank vineyard in the Derwent Valley, but this delightfully composed young pinot uses fruit from the nearby Coal River Valley. Varietally expressive and aromatic, but enticingly soft and supple, this is a high-quality cool-climate pinot. $55. https://quietmutiny.wine/

Bream Creek Vineyard 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Tasmania is best known for its cool-climate chardonnays and pinot noirs, as well as some stunning sparkling wines. What is less recognised is its ability to produce excellent whites made from riesling, sauvignon blanc and pinot gris. This is a delightful sauvignon blanc from a vineyard on the south-east coast of the Apple Isle that is on the tropical fruit side of the flavour spectrum; aromatic with stone fruit and banana notes, an appealing freshness on the palate and very brisk acid. It is a wine that can be enjoyed as a post-work palate pleaser, or with a range of seafood dishes. It would be a fabulous foil for a traditional Tasmanian scallop pie. Very good value for $31. https://www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au/

Simha 2022 Nature Pinot Noir

 

Nav Singh frim Domaine Simha relishes doing things a little bit differently. His Tasmanian wines are always challenging and interesting, with this young pinot made from a single vineyard at Meadowbank in the Derwent Valley no exception. If you enjoy lighter, complex and elegant pinots in the Burgundy mould then this will be right up your street. Just 1500 bottles were produced utilising fruit grown using biodynamic principles and undergoing whole bunch wild ferment, and pigeage before spending two months on skins and a year in large format French oak. Aromatic, compelling, basket pressed and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Lovely stuff. $55. www.domainesimha.com/

Stoney Rise 2022 Trousseau

 

Joe Holyman likes to march to the beat of a different drum. His wine range includes varieties like gruner veltliner and savagnin, both rare in Tasmania, along with the extremely unusual trousseau, a French red grape from the Jura region that is also known as bastardo. This sits somewhere between pinot meunier and grenache when it comes to weight, so it is a bright, juicy style of wine - and very food friendly. The grapes were 100% estate grown in the Tamar Valley, from young vines and the wine was aged in clay amphora pots prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Fresh and fruity with red cherry notes, but with some added power from a warm year. Holyman reckons you should pair this with a tuna steak, or cheese kransky. He might be joking; but maybe not. $40. https://www.stoneyrise.com/

Moores Hill 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir

Balance is a key factor when it comes to pinot noir. And this new release from Tamar Valley standout Moores Hill has impeccable balance. James Oliver and Constance Olivier haven't missed a beat since taking over the vineyard and business from the Allport family last year - and this is a delightful example of complex, complete cool-climate pinot. It is made from three barriques that stood out from the rest despite containing fruit from vines under a decade old. There is everything you'd look for in a young wine here; dark fruit and earthy aromas, palate intensity with black fruit and spice notes, along with a soft finish. Lovely stuff. $65. www.mooreshill.com.au