Holm Oak 2021 Protege Chardonnay

 

This is a very strong contender for the accolade of best-value chardonnay in Tasmania. From husband and wife team Tim and Bec Duffy in the Tamar Valley, it delivers a whole lot of drinking pleasure at a very fair price. This is reminiscent of a quality quaffer from Macon or the Cote Chalonaise with impressive aromatics and a blend of citrus and stone fruit on the palate together with some zingy acid. Fermentation in old oak is barely noticeable - this is all about the fruit and youthful appeal. Perfect for summer imbibing. I'd snap some up now. This won't last long. $25. www.holmoakvineyards.com.au/

Freycinet Vineyard 2018 Louis Pinot Noir

At a time when many Tasmanian pinots with lesser pedigrees are fetching serious prices, this "junior" offering from Freycinet Vineyard offers excellent value. Designed for immediate pleasure, or short-term cellaring, this is drinking beautifully right now and has beguiling quaffability and lovely balance between bright red fruit and savoury characters. Maturation in mainly older French oak barriques has added interest and there is a delightful softness on the finish. I challenge you not to empty the bottle once you have opened this; a wine that winemaker Claudio Radenti says can be enjoyed with or without food. $40. www.freycinetvineyard.com.au

Pooley 2021 Cooinda Vale Pinot Noir Rosé

 

This is a quintessential summer wine; fresh, lively and perfect for country picnics. The Pooley family, among Tasmania's best premium producers, have probably never made a bad wine and this is made with the same care and attention as some of their premium pinot releases. Picked when it was very cool, this has perfumed aromas, a beguiling texture and a dry palate with "peach iced tea", raspberries and sea salt. Lovely balance; delicious refreshment. It may be a rosé, but it is a serious wine in the style of some Provencal pinks. $50. 

Yes Miss 2021 Pinot Noir

 

This new release marks the winemaking debut of 16-year-old Oscar Holyman, son of Joe and Lou Holyman from Stoney Rise in the Tamar Valley. Oscar was being home schooled by his mother during a Covid lockdown and called her Miss Holyman. He convinced his Dad to buy in a tonne of grapes to start his business and he's off to a great start with a vibrant, fresh and coherent young pinot that was made from destemmed fruit and spent four months in older oak before being released a couple of weeks back. Oscar has made winemaking look easy. Medium-bodied, wild berries and spice notes; food friendly and very drinkable. For sale at cellar door. $40. www.stoneyrise.com/     

Craigie Knowe 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

The warmer east coast of Tasmania is one of a handful regions on the island state where cabernet sauvignon and its fellow Bordeaux varieties will reliable ripen. This brand new release uses fruit sourced from the 40+-year-old Craigie Knowe vineyard on the Freycinet Coast and would be a very amiable companion for a Christmas turkey. Cabernet has been blended with small amounts of cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot to produce a very stylish medium-bodied red wine with dark berry fruits aided and abetted by maturation in French oak. Nice tannin structure as well $53. https://craigieknowe.com.au/ 

Devil's Corner 2019 Resolution Pinot Noir

So you like your pinot noir with a combination of macho swagger and suave style? You've come to the right place. The Resolution range is the middle range of wines from Devil's Corner, owned by Brown Brothers and a perennial provider of good-value wines from Tasmania. Made from fruit grown on the Hazards vineyard - next to the cellar door, this has plenty of power, allied to dark cherry and spice notes and length on the palate. On the gruntier end of the scale when it comes to Tassie pinot, but still very classy. $35. www.devilscorner.com.au/

  

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/