Dalrymple 2024 Mount Lord Pinot Noir

 

Here's a new flagship pinot noir from Pete Caldwell and his team at Dalrymple Vineyards in the far north of Tasmania, although the grapes for this one come from a small vineyard at the other end of the state. The Hill-Smith family's Mt Lord Vineyard lies on a steep slope high above the Coal River Valley between Richmond and Sorell. This is all about quality. Cool-climate fruit intensity, pinosity,complexity and selected French oak barriques. Pair with roast Chinese Duck, or mushroom fricasee. I'll leave the final word to Cygnet taster and pinot noir lover Cho Lin. "That was very delicious". $130. https://www.dalrymplevineyards.com.au/  

Pipers Tasmania 2025 Syrah

This is the impressive latest addition to the Pipers Tasmania range - a collection from Luke Whittle and the Pipers Brook team that offers affordable cool-climate wines. This is made from fruit grown on Tasmania’s slightly warmer East Coast and offers a mix of bright fruit, hints of pepper and spice and a nicely balanced palate. It's immediately accessible and very food friendly. It was launched in Tasmania but is now being distributed nationally by Pure Wine Co. $35. https://www.kreglingerwineestates.com/product/Pipers-Tas-2025-Syrah

Woodlawn 2023 Three Wishes Vineyard Pinot Noir

Woodlawn is the premium wine brand from Ricky Evans, the talent behind the Two Tonne Tasmania and Havilah labels, and comprises small-batch, single-site releases of pinot noir and chardonnay from the Tamar Valley. All are sold in heavy bottles sealed with wax with strikingly stark labels. A serious statement. This one comes from the Three Wishes vineyard planted by the Whish Wilson family over 25 years ago. It is made in the small winery at Evans' Woodlawn farm. This is an aromatic, concentrated, varietal wine with impressive depth that you could pair with a roast lamb en croute right now, or confidently cellar for a few years. $70. https://tttwine.com.au/collections/woodlawn-tasmania

Pooley 2025 Cooinda Vale Riesling

 

I have long subscribed to the view that dry rieslings from Tasmania are best enjoyed several months after being bottled, or at four or more years of age if you like more savoury notes. Very young rieslings from the island state can often be ultra high in acidity. If you subscribe to that viewpoint then you'll find this wine from one of Tasmania's finest family producers to be right in the zone right now. There is serious depth of flavour thanks to whole-bunch pressing, and four months on lees, but the wine retains its bright, lively, citrusy attitude on the finish. Pair this Coal Valley product with pan-fried snapper or blue eye for a Tassie taste treat. $70. https://www.pooleywines.com.au/   

Kreglinger 2019 Vintage Brut

Looking for a serious, food-friendly sparkling wine? This is a classic blend of pinot noir and chardonnay from the same people that make the Pipers Brook table wines. It offers complexity and richness on the palate while retaining cool-climate freshness and vibrancy. Made from grapes grown in a single vineyard in Pipers River - in the far north of tTasmania - this is an excellent dinner party choice with berry/apple orchard aromas leading to a delightfully balanced palate that is simultaneously yeasty, toasty, citrusy and savoury with an impressive mousse. Cold fermentation in barrel, malo and battonage have added to a kaleidoscope of flavours and textures. This was aged for five years+ in bottle before release. $65. https://www.kreglingerwineestates.com/

Holm Oak 2024 Shiraz

 

Cool-climate shirazes from Tasmania are increasingly find favour with wine drinkers looking for more subtle/elegant takes on the grape variety. With the 2024 vintage wines coming from a warm, dry year at Rowella in the Tamar Valley, that created perfect conditions for fine, peppery shiraz. I really liked the immediate drinkability of this one, which has moderate alcohol but plenty of flavour. Red fruit and spice notes are aided and abetted by quality French oak (just 20% new) that sits comfortably in the background. Fruit driven, medium bodied and a statement that there is more to Tasmanian reds than just pinot. Pair this with poultry dishes, or maybe roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. $50. www.holmpoakvineyards.com.au.  

Freycinet Vineyard 2025 Louis Schönburger Riesling

This unusual sweet white blend has found favour with a couple of Tasmania's best producers - and is a very amiable companion for spicy dishes from the likes of Thailand and Korea, or maybe an Indian vegetable curry.  This one, from a pioneering producer on the east coast, is a blend of 67% German hybrid schönburger and 33% riesling, with a melange of sweet/ripe tropical fruit flavours to the fore, along with hints of white spice and citrus notes. Aromatic, and soft on the palate, this would also pair well with a platter featuring soft blue cheeses. Drink young. Drink chilled. $33. https://freycinetvineyard.com.au/