Bream Creek 2021 Cabernet Merlot

You don't find a lot of Bordeaux-style red blends in Tasmania, with both cabernet and merlot needing a warm micro-climate to deliver quality grapes. This is a traditional Left Bank-accented Bordeaux blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon and 45% merlot, sourced from the Pages Creek vineyard at Tea Tree. The wine has been aged for 12 months in a combination of new and used French oak barrels and is an aromatic, medium-bodied red with mulberry and bramble characters to the fore, with just a hint of the herbal green notes traditionally found in "clarets". A smooth, subtle number that is designed for sipping, rather than sculling. $36. https://www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au/

Quiet Mutiny 2022 Charlotte's Elusion Pinot Meunier Rosé

 

Summer time is rosé time and this rosé from southern Tasmania is perfect for enjoying well chilled with a picnic or at the beach. It's a lovely laidback wine that's bright and fresh and doesn't demand too much thought - but might well suffer from an evaporation problem. This is made by Greer Carland, formerly of Winemaking Tasmania and the winemaker for her family label Laurel Bank. It is made from pinot meunier - most often used in sparkling wines - sourced from the warmer east coast of Tasmania. Delicious drinking and well priced at $35. https://quietmutiny.wine/ 

Bangor 2020 Abel Tasman Pinot Noir

 

If you enjoy your pinots powerful and with serious structure then this new release from Bangor - on the Tasman Peninsula - will be be right up your alley. Only 250 cases were made of this flagship wine, which is a serious, complex pinot that will reward cellaring for up to a decade as it softens out. Think red fruit flavours, barrel maturation on lees for 10 months in 35% new French oak, hints of nutmeg and defined tannins. Great with mushroom dishes, or a Chinese roast duck. $54. https://bangorshed.com.au/

Freycinet Vineyard 2017 Shiraz

 

If you like your shiraz full of alcoholic grunt and lashings of intrusive new oak then you've come to the wrong place. If you enjoy your shirazes medium-bodied, food friendly and with hints of pepper and spice then welcome. The Freycinet 2017 Shiraz is an estate-grown wine from one of the warmer vineyards on Tasmania's east coast, enabling winemaker Claudio Radenti to produce shirazes with personality and balance. There are some dark fruit flavours, sure, but also hints of Asian spices and some some considered textural elements on the palate. Lovely stuff. Pair with a steak and kidney pie, or some fricasseed mushrooms. $60. http://freycinetvineyard.com.au/

Domaine A 2017 Pinot Noir

 

The Stoney Vineyard in the Coal River Valley is a rare vineyard site;capable of producing red wines of style and swagger in even the most difficult of vintages. Domaine A is now owned by Moorilla, but this was made by the late former owner Peter Althaus, something of a Tasmanian wine legend. It is a very serious pinot indeed, with a stern face that quickly reveals a softer side. This is made from low-yielding vines that produce fruit of real intensity, and 18 months in French oak has added character and complexity. There are also slight hints of eucalypt to convince you that you are not drinking a Burgundy. Unfined, unfiltered and just marvellous paired with a veal escalope. $85. https://domaine-a.com.au/   

Small Wonder 2022 Riesling

 

Tasmania is best known for its stellar sparkling wines, along with still wines made from pinot noir and chardonnay. Riesling remains a well-kept secret, but this Tamar Valley vineyard has an impressive track record of producing fine, dry rieslings with well-balanced acid. Small Wonder is the new name for the vineyard formerly known as Goaty Hill, which was one of my favourite riesling producers. Now under new ownership, the quality remains intact. This has plenty of citrus flavours, energetic minerality and impressive acid drive on the palate. Match with oysters, fish and chips or some Korean barbecue. Lovely stuff and excellent value. $32. www.smallwonderwines.com.au/     

Delamere 2016 Tasmania Sparkling Cuvee

 

I shared a bottle of this one with my tasting group and then regretted it because I wished I had kept it for myself. Only joking, but it is an outstanding Tasmanian sparkling wine made by husband and wife team Shane Holloway and Fran Austin - one of several stellar bubblies in the estate-grown and -made Delamere range. There is delightful elegance and balance here with florals, citrus and mineral notes to the fore in a blend of two-thirds chardonnay and one-third pinot noir. The vineyard was first established in 1982 making it one of the oldest in Pipers River and the fruit has piercing intensity. Seriously delicious. $55. www.delamerevineyards.com.au/