Resolution Vineyard 2025 Pinot Noir

Resolution Vineyard is something of a wine secret, even to locals in southern Tasmania. The tiny one-hectare property, planted 24 years ago, is tucked away in the hills overlooking the d'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island - next to the local cemetery outside the hamlet of Middleton. The vineyard, owned and operated by the Lamont family, grows only pinot noir and production is the hundreds of bottles, not cases. I tasted this young release, vinified by Alain Rousseau at Frogmore Creek, just after it had been bottled and it needed a couple of hours to relax and show at its it best. I tried it again a few days later and it had come together beautifully; floral, fresh, crunchy and vibrant. $40. www.resolutionvineyard.com.au

www.resolutionvineyard.com.au

Wineglass Bay 2025 Sauvignon Blanc

Tasmania is best known for wines made from pinot noir and chardonnay - but it also produces several other styles, like this super seafood-friendly sauvignon blanc, made by the talented team under Claudio Radenti at Freycinet Vineyard under the Wineglass Bay label, a nod to a beautiful local east coast beach. This is fresh and lively with tropical and herbaceous notes, ripe fruit and zingy acid on the finish. A percentage spent time in seasoned oak barrels to add mouthfeel. It is designed for immediate enjoyment, preferably well chilled. It paired beautifully with avocado and lobster, but would also be great with local oysters. A seriously fun wine. $30. https://freycinetvineyard.com.au/

Stoney Rise 2025 Savagnin

There is not much savagnin around. Originally from the Jura region of France, where it is used to make the famous vin jaune oxidative wines, in Australia it was originally erroneously marketed as the Spanish grape albarino. Nowadays it is often confused with sauvignon blanc. In the right hands it makes white wines that are very textural, in this case with salinity and length added by three days of maceration. Stoney Rise winemaker Joe Holyman, a former wicketkeeper for Tasmania, has very steady hands and this is an interesting wine; grippy, food friendly with apple/nutty notes and savoury/spicy hints. You'll find Holyman's sense of humour on the front foot on the back label with nonsense nods to broadbean hotpot, Palatschinke and yodelling. Pair with a cheese platter, or quiche lorraine. $42. https://www.stoneyrise.com/  

Bream Creek 2025 Pinot Gris

 

You can choose any wine - literally any wine - from the Bream Creek range and you won't be disappointed. Fred Peacock and his team from the Tasman Peninsula are masters of consistent excellence. This has the lot - length, texture and balance - and probably sits midway between gris and grigio styles. It's classic cool-climate white with appealing pear/apple/citrus flavours and plenty of palate interest/crunchy acid alongside immediate drinkability. Pair this anything from a mushroom quiche to fritto misto. Startlingly good value at $36. https://www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au/

Aunt Alice 2025 Ocean Chardonnay

 

Alice Davidson is a talented winemaker who has worked with outstanding talents including Peter Dredge and is now building a formidable reputation for her own label, which sources fruit some several vineyards around the state. She is currently building a micro winery at Geeveston in the Huon Valley. This is a very impressive new release tasted at the Budburst Tassie Wine Expo that is at once varietal, fresh, vibrant and accessible. It is elegant and food friendly; suitable for short-term cellaring. You could pair this with anything from American pork ribs to traditional roast chicken. $55. https://www.auntalice.com.au/