Resolution Vineyard 2020 Pinot Noir

You'll have to move smartly if you want to snap up one of the best-value pinot noirs in Tasmania. Fewer than 100 cases were made in 2020 with quality high, but yields low. There was no vintage in 2019 owing to smoke taint. Crafted by Alain Rousseau at Frogmore Creek, this is made from fruit grown on a boutique vineyard at Middleton in the far south of the d'Entrecasteaux Channel in the deepest south of the state. Newly-released, this is aromatic and youthful, on the lighter side of the pinot spectrum but indisputably varietal. I likened it to a ballerina; coquettish but with an inner core strength. Pair this with pizza, or even chill it a little in the dying days of summer. $28.  http://resolutionvineyard.com.au/      

Bream Creek 2019 Riesling

 

Fred Peacock and his team at Bream Creek on Tasmania's south-east coast rarely put a foot wrong, and often hold back new releases until they are perfectly poised. This rich, dryish riesling is a case in point. Inspired by the classic rieslings of Germany, this hits the sweet spot between residual sugar and smart acid. Citrus and apple flavours dance a palate tango and this would pair brilliantly with Asian dishes with a hint of spice, or simple grilled Tasmanian seafood. $31. www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au/

Dalrymple 2018 Pinot Noir

 

If you like your pinot noir with a bit of oomph you have come to the right place. Winemaker Pete Caldwell has sourced fruit from a range of different regions in Tasmania (Pipers River, the Coal River Valley, Swansea and Ouse) to produce this assertive wine, which demands to be enjoyed with food to be seen at its best. This is a complex wine with varietal character, weight, texture and flavours of dark plums, cherries and fruit cake. This would pair well with lamb chops and spicy aubergine. $38. www.dalrymplevineyards.com.au/

Sonnen 2020 Jannis Riesling

 

Luke Andree is a young Tasmanian viticulturist who also makes small batch wines aside from his main gig at Mewstone Wines. This is delicious riesling named after his son, Jannis, and Jannis Melsheimer, whose family he worked with at Weingut Melsheimer in the Mosel in 2019. The Upper Tamar fruit was whole-bunch pressed and fermented sur lie in puncheons. Think light citrus, grapefuit and blood orange notes, with some phenolics and a whole lot of palate interest. $32. www.sonnenwine.com.au

Apogee Alto 2020 Pinot Gris

 

Andrew Pirie is the eminence gris of the wine industry in Tasmania; the man behind many labels and standout wines. It is appropriate, then, that one of the stellar wines in Pirie's tiny Apogee catalogue is a a benchmark cool-climate pinot gris that sits firmly on the Alsace side of the gris/grigio spectrum without any oily excesses. This new release is both floral and substantial with pear flavours, minerality and a fleshy softness on the finish. There is plenty of palate texture, thanks to brief skin contact and partial malo. Lovely drinking in its youth - with plenty of potential. $44. www.apogeetasmania.com.  

Stefano Lubiana 2015 Brut Rosé

 

For over 30 years now, Steve Lubiana has been at the forefront of viticultural and wine-making innovation in Tasmania; leading the way with organic and biodynamic methods. Lubiana produces a wide range of offerings from his vineyard at Granton, just north of Hobart, including several outstanding sparkling wines.This one hits the bullseye with its style and sophistication. Made from 100% pinot noir grapes, it strikes just the right balance between red berry fruit sweetness and fresh, zingy acid and dryness on the finish. Aromatic, enticing and very classy. $58. www.slw.com.au/

Chatto 2019 Marion's Pinot Noir

 

Jim Chatto is the man with the Midas touch. Even when things go horribly wrong, he is still able to produce outstanding wines. The Marion's Pinot Noir is a one-off release after smoke from bushfires wiped out the 2019 vintage in his Huon Valley vineyard. Chatto was still able to produce three excellent pinots including this one from Marion's Vineyard, in the Tamar Valley, just north of Launceston. This is in the Central Otago spectrum, powerful but with its own savoury structural subtleties. It should cellar brilliantly - but with only 230 cases made it might pay to move quickly. $65. www.chattowines.com/