Rooster & Robin 2026 Pinot Gris

 

East Coast newcomer Rooster & Robin made its debut at this year's Great Eastern Wine Weekend, attracting attention with its new cellar door and giant sculptures. This is only the second release for a sustainable brand based on the former Melrose vineyard at Cranbrook, now known as Elmsroe, and it is a little ripper for summer drinking, varietal correct and very food friendly. It has a real freshness and lightness about it. Good work from consultant winemaker Jacqui Dolan from Milton. We paired this with vegetarian dumplings from a Vietnamese takeaway - and that combo worked a treat. A label worth keeping an eye on. $33. https://roosterandrobin.com.au/ 

Chatto 2026 Edith Rosé

 

This is the first rosé release from pinot noir specialists Jim and Daisy Chatto in the Huon Valley. It was launched just a week ago at the Spring in the Vines festival and proved an immediate hit with its zingy freshness. Named after Edith Piaf and modelled on the pale, dry rosés of Provence it is a perfect choice for a summer picnic or beach excursion and is extremely food friendly. Made in small batches from grower fruit, it is crisp with myriad red fruit flavours to the fore and a dry finish. I'm told it is already close to sold out, so speed is of the essence.$35. https://chattowines.com/ 

Sailor Seeks Horse 2025 Illumine Vineyard Pinot Noir

 

Sailor Seeks Horse vignerons Paul and Gilli Lipscombe have built a formidable reputation for their estate wines grown in Tasmania's very cool Huon Valley, but change is afoot and the SSH range now features some wines made using grower fruit. This one, from a new vineyard next to the Panorama vineyard just a couple of kilometres from home base, was actually planted and is looked after by the Lipscombes. It is a serious star with vibrant fruit from young vines taking centre stage and stealing the show in a wine that is clever, composed and wonderfully supple. Mainly older oak plays a support role. $60. https://www.sailorseekshorse.com.au/ 

  

Pooley 2025 Syrah

 

A few months ago I enthusiastically reviewed the excellent 2024 vintage of this wine. Within a couple of weeks it had snared major show trophies and sold out rapidly. The 2025 vintage has probably been released a little earlier than planned, but it is certainly worth jumping on the bandwagon if you enjoy savoury, spicy and thoroughly delectable cool-climate syrah (which most Australians call shiraz). The fruit comes from the Coal River Valley in the south of Tasmania with winemaking nous from talented Pooley team. This is extremely food friendly with a soft, supple mouthfeel. French oak is the support act to quality fruit. $60. https://www.pooleywines.com.au/

* UPDATE: This won won Australia’s most coveted red wine trophy, the Jimmy Watson Trophy, alongside Best Tasmanian Shiraz and Best Australian Shiraz, at the 2026 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards.

Holm Oak 2026 Riesling

Tasmanian rieslings are very under-rated. The best, including this one from Bec and Tim Duffy from Holm Oak at Rowella in the Tamar Valley, are outstanding This hits just the right balance between dry, high-acid structure and lively juicy, citrus characters. There are crunchy apple and zingy grapefruit flavours here, and hints of slatey minerality along with the zingy freshness and a bitey finish. This would match well with Thai. Korean or Vietnamese flavours, or some fresh Tassie oysters. Pure. Intense. $35. https://holmoakvineyards.com.au/

Stoney Rise 2026 Chardonnay

 

This wine's big brother, the seriously excellent 2025 Holyman Chardonnay, was this week named in the Halliday top 100 wines of the year. Gravelly Beach winemaker Joe Holyman is on fire with his new releases, crafting pure but intriguing riffs on the Tasmanian cool-climate theme. This is a serious bargain in Tasmanian terms; all about vibrant pure fruit from overlooking the River Tamar that has been gently aided and abetted by a short period in neutral oak and some lees stirring. There is plenty happening on the palate but this is a wine that has quickly settled into a comfortable bourgeois existence. Grilled prawns anyone? $40. https://www.stoneyrise.com

Broad Arrow 2025 Pinot Gris

 

A very tidy Tassie pinot gris from a top team. The fruit is grown at the Spikey Bridge vineyard in Relbia, just down the road from Josef Chromy, and the vinification is done by experienced Jeremy Dineen at a new winemaking facility. The end result, for both this and its pinot noir sibling, is a well-made, varietally correct wine that offers excellent value. There are bright peach and pear flavours to the fore in a wine best enjoyed well chilled and in its youth. Pair with salt and pepper calamari. $32. https://broadarrowwines.com.au/