Pressing Matters 2023 Texture Riesling

Not your average riesling! From Coal River Valley riesling specialists Pressing Matters, this is a funky and textural take that immediately grabs your attention. Wild fermented in older oak puncheons and left to mature on its lees, this has plenty of palate interest along with edgy minerality and structure. Some time spent in bottle has helped tame the wild acidity that characterises many young Tasmanian rieslings. I like the length and breadth here; this is no shrinking violet. Fun and different with its yeasty lees influence. $65. https://pressingmatters.com.au/ 

Kate Hill NV Noir Rosé Sparkling

 

Kate Hill crafts some terrific-value, small-batch, cool-climate wines from her base in the Huon Valley, one of the southernmost wineries in Australia. I help out at cellar door occasionally. This is a fun Methode Champenoise bubbly made from pinot noir grapes: such a lively, easy drinking style for enjoying over the final days of summer. The pretty pink colour indicates exactly what is in store: lively strawberry fruit notes and a crisp, dry finish make this ideal for pairing with sausage rolls, party pies, vegetable quiche or smoked salmon sandwiches. $45. https://www.katehillwines.com.au/

Freycinet Vineyard 2024 Riesling

 

What a joy this wine is to enjoy on a warm day - and it is a bargain, too, given how riesling somehow remains an under-rated variety in Tasmania, where it can produce stellar dry wines. This comes from an East Coast vineyard closing in on 50 years of age, and is made by talented team Claudio Radenti and Keira O'Brien. I tried a glass at a friend's place, then quickly went back for a second. Hand-pruned and hand-harvested from 25+ year old vines, this undergoes a slow, cool fermenation to ensure maximum flavour. This is ripe, it is dry, it is juicy, it is crisp and it is hard to say no to a third glass. Pair with anything from a vegetable pizza to Vietnamese glass noodles. Stunningly good. $36. https://freycinetvineyard.com.au/

Holm Oak 2023 Fearless Pinot Noir

 

This excellent small-batch pinot noir is the latest pinot to join a formidable list made by Holm Oak duo Bec and Tim Duffy. It found almost unanimous acclaim from my tasting group this week, but the bad news is that it is made in such small quantities that it is only available at their Tamar Valley cellar door, or to wine club members. Made from two barrels that were outstandingly aromatic and intense it is named after one of the old wooden Alexander tennis racquets with which they have a family history. This is fruit driven with no new oak and no whole bunch. Think poise and precision. It is smooth and delicious. $65. www.holmoakvineyards.com.au     

Spring Vale 2024 Melrose Pinot Noir

 

Looking for a gloriously gluggable, vibrant and no-nonsense Tassie pinot noir that you can put in the fridge for an hour or two on a warm day?  This lighter-style pinot delivers fun drinking without breaking the bank: a classic "vin soif" designed to be enjoyed in its youth; fresh, zesty and refreshing. Think red fruits plucked fresh from a hedgerow, a soft, supple palate driven by fruit not oak, and lively acidity on the finish. Pair with anything from a charcuterie plate to Lebanese mezze. $32. https://www.springvalewines.com/

Bream Creek Vineyard 2019 Reserve Old Vine Riesling

 

Bream Creek on the Tasman Peninsula has some of the oldest riesling vines in Tasmania, planted in 1974. They produce intense, lively young wines on release, or more savoury offerings if held back for a few years. This will not be to everyone's taste but if you enjoy mellow, aged whites the you will be in luck. This is from a dry vintage that produced intense flavours that merited a reserve bottling. There is a lot of restrained power here with classic citrus flavours along with some straw and sea spray notes on the palate. A wine for sipping and savouring. Pair with a vegetable quiche. $50. https://www.breamcreekvineyard.com.au/

Jansz 2019 Single Vineyard Chardonnay

 

From one of the pioneers of Tasmania's buoyant sparkling wine industry - Jansz was founded in 1986 - comes a single vineyard, single variety bubbly with a confident strut. Made exclusively from estate vineyard blocks at Pipers River - close to the cellar door. This is very taut and pure - think shortbread/brioche notes - with a swag of acid on the finish. This is a wine designed to be enjoyed with food; perhaps matched with canapes or hors d'oeuvres, but with enough palate oomph to pair with main courses. Only 3563 bottles were made, and this is produced only in stellar vintages. Sold in attractive gift box. $68. https://www.jansz.com.au/