Craigie Knowe 2020 Riesling

 

Tasmania is probably best known for its stellar sparkling wines, along with its pinot noirs and chardonnays. That said, many of the island's wine producers are dab hands with aromatic white varieties, as shown here by Craigie Knowe, an east coast producer at Cranbrook with a vineyard that was planted over 40 years ago. Traditional citrus flavours are to the fore, with a hint more complexity and creaminess than is found in Clare rieslings. There is plenty of length and depth of flavour here. A new release - but in short supply and will sell out rapidly. $32. www.craigieknowe.com.au  

Moores Hill 2020 Pinot Gris

 

The 2019 Moores Hill Pinot Gris was a phenomenon - and sold out rapidly. Its 2020 successor is a little different stylistically - a very different vintage - but you'll still have to move quickly if you want to snap some up. From Tasmania's first solar-powered wine producer in the Tamar Valley, this is partially fermented in old oak to add intrigue to the palate. Pear and white peach flavours are to the fore and there is some appealing acid on the finish. It is a lovely drink on its own, but you could also pair it with a basket of fritto misto. $35 www.mooreshill.com.au/

Pooley 2019 Cooinda Vale Chardonnay

 

The Pooley family has such a strong team of operatives across all levels of the business that it seldom puts a foot wrong and is a byword for reliability among Tasmanian wine lovers. This assertive Coal River Valley chardonnay was hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed and wild fermented before being matured in a mixture of barriques and puncheons for nine months. The end result is a classic cool-climate chardonnay with lime and Granny Smith flavours to the fore; flintiness, slightly intrusive oak and grapefuity acidity. Powerful with aging potential. Pair with roast pork and crackling. $65. www.pooleywines.com.au/

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