Stoney Rise 2022 Trousseau

 

Joe Holyman likes to march to the beat of a different drum. His wine range includes varieties like gruner veltliner and savagnin, both rare in Tasmania, along with the extremely unusual trousseau, a French red grape from the Jura region that is also known as bastardo. This sits somewhere between pinot meunier and grenache when it comes to weight, so it is a bright, juicy style of wine - and very food friendly. The grapes were 100% estate grown in the Tamar Valley, from young vines and the wine was aged in clay amphora pots prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Fresh and fruity with red cherry notes, but with some added power from a warm year. Holyman reckons you should pair this with a tuna steak, or cheese kransky. He might be joking; but maybe not. $40. https://www.stoneyrise.com/

Moores Hill 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir

Balance is a key factor when it comes to pinot noir. And this new release from Tamar Valley standout Moores Hill has impeccable balance. James Oliver and Constance Olivier haven't missed a beat since taking over the vineyard and business from the Allport family last year - and this is a delightful example of complex, complete cool-climate pinot. It is made from three barriques that stood out from the rest despite containing fruit from vines under a decade old. There is everything you'd look for in a young wine here; dark fruit and earthy aromas, palate intensity with black fruit and spice notes, along with a soft finish. Lovely stuff. $65. www.mooreshill.com.au

Bubb + Pooley 2022 Chardonnay

 

Bubb + Pooley is the private label, or "side hustle", of winemaking duo Justin Bubb and Anna Pooley, designed as a space where they can expand their stylistic boundaries. This an excellent example of Coal River Valley chardonnay made from fruit grown by one of their friends. The grapes were fermented and matured in a "spherical concrete vessel" and French oak barriques, The end result is both vegan friendly and unfined. There was partial malolactic fermentation, but this wine is all about the freshness and purity of the cool-climate fruit. There is a lovely vibrancy and bright acid here. If you love white Burgundies then this will be right up your alley. $65. https://bubbandpooley.com.au/

Chatto 2022 Bird Vineyard Pinot Noir

 

In addition to the outstanding pinot noirs from their Isle vineyard in the Huon Valley, Jim and Daisy Chatto also produce a limited-release range of pinots made using fruit from different vineyards around Tasmania. There are tiny amounts of the delightful Seven Inch pinot from a minuscule vineyard overlooking the Huon; the darker, more muscular Killara from the Coal River Valley, and the lutruwita, a lovely blend of fruit from several different vineyards around the state. If you like your pinots light and ethereal, this is probably the one for you: made from fruit grown on a Pipers River vineyard planted by Tasmanian pioneer Dr Andrew Pirie in 1998, Bird is a red-fruited single clone (214) wine with hints of spice on the nose and wonderful length and purity. Be quick, all these wines are in very short supply. $70ish. www.chattowines.com/