Two Tonne Tasmania TMV Chardonnay 2025

 

Here's one of the stars from a batch of impressive new 2025 TTT releases from Ricky Evans - the pinots and riesling are also well worth seeking out. Evans makes wines under the TTT and Woodlawn Park labels as well as running popular Launceston wine bar Havilah and is a proven star on the Tasmanian wine scene. This is a lovely cool-climate chardonnay from Evans' home ground in the Tamar Valley, pure and linear with enticing chalky minerality. Whole-bunch, fermentation in older big format oak and some malo for palate complexity have delivered a wine with immediate appeal and brisk natural acidity/salinity on the finish. Very impressive - one for Burgundy lovers priced out of that market. Look out for this label. $39. 

Spring Vale 2019 Family Selection Pinot Noir

 

Hitting Tasmania’s delightful east coast? Want to take home a very stylish local wine that is mature and ready to enjoy right now? This one hits the bullseye; delicious classic cool-climate pinot noir from land at Cranbrook that has been farmed by the Lyne family since 1875. The vineyards arrived a bit later: in 1986, but Spring Vale is very much part of regional history. I really enjoyed the balance of this wine; beautifully poised between fruit and savoury notes, and well worth a splurge. Note, however, that it is made in tiny quantities - from one barrique - and virtually impossible to find anywhere other than cellar door. $125. www.springvalewines.com

Pirie Sparkling Vintage 2021

Named in recognition of Andrew Pirie, a pioneer of cool-climate viticulture in Tasmania, this is an outstanding example of the quality sparkling wines for which the island state has become recognised. Pirie now operates his own small bijou wine business, Apogee, but I suspect he would be very happy with the quality of this recent release: It is fresh, bright and elegant with precision and purity. Citrus and sea spray aromas lead on to a crisp palate that is fruit-forward with toasty/nutty characters in a support role. The finish is full of citrus peel vivacity. Pair with oysters or simple grilled fish dishes. The website shows this as being sold out, but there should still some in retail land.  $55. https://brownfamilywines.com.au/collections/brands-pirie

Sailor Seeks Horse 2024 Pinot Noir

 

The new release pinot noir from Sailor Seeks Horse delivers exactly what you would expect from one of best of Tasmania's new wave of wine producers. Paul and Gilli Lipscombe have built a formidable reputation for quality since taking over a deserted and overgrown vineyard in the Huon Valley a decade and a half ago. Their wines now have an international reputation and are found in top restaurants and wine bars, as well as being exported to key markets - most recently to Singapore. Very long, very precise. Structured, sappy, and potentially long lived. From a warm. dry year, this was wild fermented with a tiny amount of whole bunch material. It saw mainly aged oak and has impressive spice and dark cherry notes. Just lovely. $70. https://www.sailorseekshorse.com.au/

Holm Oak 2025 Pinot Gris

Winemaker Bec Duffy and her viticulturist husband Tim make an impressive range of fairly-priced, cool-climate wines at their Rowella property in the Tamar Valley. If you are looking for a white to accompany a Thai green chicken (or vegetable) curry then you might like to try this vibrant option. It has freshness allied to palate interest sparked by 10% of the wine being wild fermented in older oak barrels and 10% wild fermented in tank; adding complexity. You'll find white pear and apple fruit notes here along with texture, a hint of bitter almonds, and crunchy acidity on the finish. Serve chilled. Drink now. $32. https://holmoakvineyards.com.au/

Pooley 2024 Syrah

The wine industry moves at a fast pace. A decade or two ago it would have been absurd to expect quality shirazes from Tasmania. Climate change and deft winemaking now see several leading Tasmanian producers making impressive cool-climate shirazes; and this is one of the best. It's downright delicious. Anna Pooley and her team have crafted a structured and flavoursome wine from the Coal River Valley with dark fruit and savoury/spice notes dancing a seductive tongue tango. Fresh, well balanced and food friendly, we paired this with marinated lamb chops. $60. https://www.pooleywines.com.au/

Bream Creek 2025 Riesling

 

Tasmania is best known for its sparkling wines, chardonnays and pinot noirs. That means that other varieties often fly under the radar. Riesling is a case in point with this excellent offering from Tasman Peninsula producer Bream Creek well worth seeking out. Bream Creek makes excellent wines across the board, probably due to the fact that proprietor Fred Peacock is one of the island state's top viticulturists. You'll find citrus aromas that lead on to a crisp, dry palate with bright, chalky minerality, tropical fruit hints, and zingy acid. You could pair this one with freshly shucked oysters or pan-fried sardines. $36. https://www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au/