Spring Vale 2022 Pinot Gris

 

Pinot gris from Tasmania is often under-rated because the Apple Isle produces so many stellar bubbles, pinots noir and chardonnays. This new release is right in the zone between the gris and grigio styles with Spring Vale having toned back on ripeness and upped freshness. This fifth-generation family operation is located at Cranbrook on the Freycinet Coast and is well worth a visit with its atmospheric cellar door. Think pear and citrus aromas leading on to a palate with plenty of depth - thanks to maturation on lees - but also some lively fruit on the finish. Pair with local seafood, or a chicken schnitzel. $34. www.springvalewines.com/

Freycinet Vineyard 2022 Schönburger Riesling

 

Claudio Radenti and his talented team at Freycinet Estate on Tasmania's east coast make a number of wines more serious than this one; but few that are as much fun for immediate drinking pleasure, This unusual blend screams "chill me, drink me" over the summer period. The schönburger grape is a hybrid developed in Germany that has found a home in Tasmania and it makes for a happy marriage when blended with riesling; adding tropical fruit notes to the citrus and acidity of the riesling. The blend is 55% schönburger and 45% riesling and it finishes crisp acid with touch of residual sugar. Pair with Thai, or Korean, dishes, or perhaps fish and chips. Value with a capital V for $28. http://freycinetvineyard.com.au/

Pepperjack 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Here's a bit of an oddity, but I liked this wine a lot at this week's Treasury Wine Estates tasting. Pepperjack is a Barossa-based blend that is - rather bewilderingly - spreading its tentacles far and wide. This is a blend of 60% Tasmanian fruit from White Hills in the north of the state and 40% from the Limestone Coast in South Australia. The surprise is that it works so well. Think generous aromatics and gooseberry/grapefruit/fresh herb notes, along with very zippy acidity on the finish. It is a vibrant, textural (perhaps thanks to 2% of the fruit seeing oak treatment) wine for immediate summer enjoyment, perhaps paired with shellfish, or fish and chips. $25. https://www.pepperjack.com.au/  

Kate Hill 2020 Huon Valley Pinot Noir

I may be biased about this wine because I have done several shifts at Kate Hill's cellar door during the pandemic, but this shines as a superb example of cool-climate pinot noir from one of the southernmost - and coolest - parts of Tasmania. It has proven a hit with tasters since being released a few weeks ago and has delightful varietal character along with with a smooth, elegant finish. The balance between raspberry fruit notes, French oak and savoury/undergrowth flavours and textures is impressive. Made in small batches and I suspect this will sell out rapidly given the cellar door response. $60. www.katehillwines.com.au.