Wednesday 27 May 2020

New Certan 2018 Tasmania Pinot Noir


Lovers of fine Bordeaux might do a double-take when they see this label; yes, it is a Tasmanian homage to the label of renowned Vieux Château Certan from Pomerol. Both the Bordeaux estate and the Mount Pleasant Vineyard in Launceston, from where fruit is sourced for this Pipers Brook wine, share the same extended family of Belgian owners. Made by pinot noir master Jim Chatto, this is crimson red with layer upon layer of restrained flavours. It is intense, yet elegant, feminine and alluring. $95. www.kreglingerwineestates.com/

Saturday 9 May 2020

Bream Creek 2018 Pinot Noir


Tasmania is not the easiest place to make consistently great wine; with cold winters, bushfires and hail among the enemies of fine viticulture. Yet somehow, Fred Peacock at Bream Creek Vinyeard, established 46 years ago, makes consistency look absurdly easy. You never see a poor wine from Bream Creek, and yet the wines are among the more affordable from the Apple Isle. This recent release has a gorgeously aromatic nose with a bright cherry fruit allied to a long finish and impressive tannin structure. This has already swept up several show trophies and can be summed up as long, intense and beautifully balanced. One for sipping and savouring, perhaps in front of a roaring winter fire with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on the stereo. $42. www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au.