Meadowbank 2021 Pinot Noir

 

If your tastes veer towards serious, cellar-worthy pinot noir then this will be right up your street. The Meadowbank vineyard in the Derwent Valley has an excellent pedigree and produces fruit for some of Tasmania's highest-profile producers. Grower Gerald Ellis and his family are fanatical about quality - and have been growing grapes since 1976 - and can also call on the talents of winemaker Peter Dredge. This is still very tight, but is delightfully varietal and has a terrific future. The family say it reflects one of their best-ever vintages, but stocks are low. $60. https://www.meadowbank.com.au/ 

Tolpuddle 2021 Pinot Noir

 

Is this Tasmania's finest pinot noir? Almost certainly. I tried it a few weeks ago and it was excellent but when I tried it again at the weekend it was magnificent. A few extra weeks have allowed it to come together as the complete cool-climate pinot noir package. An estate wine from perhaps the most pampered vineyard in Tasmania - in the Coal River Valley - this is made by a team of pernickety experts. It delivers classic aromas and tantalising flavours, balance, immediate drinkability and cellaring prospects. For those looking tick hipster boxes, it is vegan-friendly, organic and made sustainably. One of those rare wines that is worth every cent of the $96 asking price. www.tolpuddlevineyard.com.au       

Small Wonder 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Small Wonder is the new iteration of Tamar Valley producer Goaty Hill. Same vineyard, same cellar door, but new owners and a new winemaker, along with some eye-catching new labels. This is undoubtedly one of the best sauvignon blancs in Tasmania, having already collected a show trophy. It is made from vines that grow on granite soils and there is some ripe, tangy fruit along with herbal hints; a fabulous wine for enjoying well chilled with a Tassie crayfish, perhaps. Food friendly - and summer friendly, too. $32. www.smallwonderwines.com.au/     

Moorilla 2011 Muse Pinot Noir

Many wine lovers to not have the time, energy or facilities to cellar their wine purchases for a decade or more. With this this cellar release from Moorilla the work has been done for them, with the wine released ready to drink after a decade in bottle. This is a classic aged pinot made from the winery block at Berriedale. It has some gentle raisined flavours, some herbal hints and plenty of intense palate interest. Obviously not one for lovers of vibrant fruit flavours with secondary characters taking charge here. Deli, tobacco, leather and earthy notes rule, but there are still flickers of bright acid. One for enjoying with poultry dishes, perhaps a pheasant if you'd like to splash out. $88. https://shop.moorilla.com.au/

Freycinet Vineyard 2021 Field Blend Rosé

 

Not your average rosé this one - but it is a delightful drink for enjoying well chilled, perhaps with some Lebanese dishes, over summer. From one of the best, and longest-established, vineyards on the East Coast of Tasmania - this is an unusual field blend of cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, cabernet franc and shiraz. It works brilliantly for those who enjoy their rosés dry and very savoury. More complex than  most rosés, it offers a range of earthy, minerally notes alongside the red fruit flavours; with a very brisk finish. Very quaffable. $30. http://freycinetvineyard.com.au/

Bream Creek 2021 Cabernet Merlot

You don't find a lot of Bordeaux-style red blends in Tasmania, with both cabernet and merlot needing a warm micro-climate to deliver quality grapes. This is a traditional Left Bank-accented Bordeaux blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon and 45% merlot, sourced from the Pages Creek vineyard at Tea Tree. The wine has been aged for 12 months in a combination of new and used French oak barrels and is an aromatic, medium-bodied red with mulberry and bramble characters to the fore, with just a hint of the herbal green notes traditionally found in "clarets". A smooth, subtle number that is designed for sipping, rather than sculling. $36. https://www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au/

Quiet Mutiny 2022 Charlotte's Elusion Pinot Meunier Rosé

 

Summer time is rosé time and this rosé from southern Tasmania is perfect for enjoying well chilled with a picnic or at the beach. It's a lovely laidback wine that's bright and fresh and doesn't demand too much thought - but might well suffer from an evaporation problem. This is made by Greer Carland, formerly of Winemaking Tasmania and the winemaker for her family label Laurel Bank. It is made from pinot meunier - most often used in sparkling wines - sourced from the warmer east coast of Tasmania. Delicious drinking and well priced at $35. https://quietmutiny.wine/