Description
Tasmanian Pinot Noir is some of the hottest property in Australian wine right now and here are six of the very best.
Thanks to Tassie’s cool, maritime climate, the grapes get a long, slow ripening season that allows all those complex flavours to build while keeping that essential, refreshing acidity. The island’s mix of soils—everything from ancient sandstone to rich volcanic clay—gives each wine its own unique character, adding depth you don’t often find elsewhere.
And because most vineyards are small-scale, the winemakers here can focus on quality over quantity, as such, this pack of some of the most sought-after Pinots on the Isle won't be available for long.
- 2023 Dr. Edge Tasmania Concrete Matured Pinot Noir
- 2023 Bubb + Pooley Pinot Noir
- 2023 Home Hill Estate Pinot Noir
- 2022 Chatto Bird Vineyard Pinot Noir
- 2022 Sailor Seeks Horse Pinot Noir
- 2023 Holyman Pinot Noir
2023 Dr. Edge Tasmania Concrete Matured Pinot Noir
In 2023, Peter Dredge kept the two parcels of his Pinot Noir separate, his traditional barrel matured portion, and this, a portion that was fermented and aged entirely in concrete.
It makes for a crystal-clear depiction of Tasmanian Pinot Noir. The fresh, dazzlingly bright Pinot fruit sings out of the glass. The acidity is crisp, the nervy tension and fresh red fruits are just a delight to drink.
This is a very exciting drink - Tasmanian Pinot Noir at its most invigorating and mineral-driven. We loved it.
The two parcels will likely be blended together going forward so this may be the only bottling of this wine ever, making it something of curio and perfect for collectiors.
95 points
"Lively ruby core into a shiny purple rim. Black cherry, river stones and cinnamon stick aromatics. Medium weight, very focused and driven by both fine granular tannins and taut acidity. Peeking through that is dark cherry, hints if cola spice and a gravelly minerality underneath, all rolling very long on that framework's tension. Time in the glass allows more nuances to come out and it builds further layers and character"
- Stuart Knox (The Real Review)
95 points
"It may be an experiment, but gee, it’s a ‘Eureka!’ moment as far as I’m concerned. Such character. So good. This is the way."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
2023 Bubb + Pooley Pinot Noir
Can Bubb + Pooley make a top notch Pinot Noir? You better believe it. With their combined knowledge and experience, this was always going to an absolute scorcher of a wine. Made from two separate parcels, one 100% whole bunches and the other 20%, and matured in a mix of large concrete vat and oak.
There is a lot to unpack with this wine. Of all the wines in the new line up, this is the one which will reward decanting and some time to open up. Let it unfurl its wings and you'll find a gorgeously balanced wine - it smells like walking through a forest in daylight, with soft berries, leaf litter, woody spices and earthy savouriness. The palate is impeccable, with finely tuned, gentle acid, making this as food friendly as it is drinkable.
Stunning. Just stunning. More Tasmanian magic here from Anna Pooley & Justin Bubb.
95+ points
"Gee, this is a good Pinot Noir. Plenty of juicy cherry, a jasmine, rose oil and almost apricot perfume, a bit of spice and something a little earthy. It’s the feel of it, though, that really gets me in. It’s bright, but concentrated, with tight stony tannin, a cool ‘minerally’ aspect to its pure-feeling acidity, with a very long finish that pops with cherry, ripe raspberry, almond meal, and quite some fragrance. It’s sweetly fruited as a young wine, yes, though that structure is the thing. A curious thing to say, perhaps, its that it’s a fine Pinot Noir that sports something of an Italianate character. I love it. It’s touch and go for 96 points."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
2023 Home Hill Estate Pinot Noir
The story of Home Hill Estate is a classic tale of a family’s passion blossoming into one of Australia’s most cherished Pinot Noir producers. Rosemary and Terry Bennett started with just six rows of vines on what was once an apple orchard, never imagining their hobby farm would transform into an award-winning vineyard. From the early days of their three children playing in apple bins during harvest to the present, where their vineyard in the Huon Valley is recognised as a top destination, Home Hill has been a labour of love.
Family remains at the heart of Home Hill. Terry and Rosemary’s son, Sean, now manages the vineyard, carefully planning and maintaining the six-hectare estate with an eye for detail that reflects their commitment to quality. Their daughter Kelly oversees the Wine Club and numerous other roles, while other family members contribute to the business’s daily operations. Together, they’ve created a welcoming environment where visitors can experience the beauty and bounty of the Huon Valley.
It's long and plush and round. Curvacious, plump and vibrant with an easy swagger, it's the kind of Pinot that reminds you that Pinot Noir can be a great drink from day one. Whether enjoyed now or after a few years in the cellar, this wine is a true reflection of the dedication and passion that have driven Home Hill from its humble beginnings to the pinnacle of Pinot Noir excellence.
It's a dangerous wine. Be warned, one glass may not suffice.
2022 Chatto Bird Vineyard Pinot Noir
Bird is one of Jim Chatto's single vineyard release, from the Pipers River region in northern Tasmania. It's a long way from his home Isle vineyard in the very southern Huon Valley.
It's a more skeletal, structural expression of Tasmanian Pinot Noir and will look brilliant with a little more time in bottle.
Bright, musky aromas with some fresh pomegranate. The tannins are super-fine and chalky. Highly recommended for lovers of fine-boned, linear wines and a great entry point to Chatto's Pinot Noirs.
2022 Sailor Seeks Horse Pinot Noir
Paul and Gilli Lipscombe are doing some fantastic work from their small vineyard planting in the Huon Valley.
Their Sailor Seeks Horse Pinot Noir is a masterclass in controlled power and elegance. They strive for balance in the vineyard which makes the work in the winery minimal.
This small batch premium Pinot Noir is one of their best releases to date. We're sure it will be one of the Huon Valley's most sought-after releases of the year - so snap one up while you still can!
96 points
"Mid-ruby with aromas of wild strawberry, red and dark cherry with hints of raspberry coulis, Chinese barbecue joint, sous bois, nori, souk spices, crushed stone and low-volume wood spice. Spacious and silken, with just a scattering of amaro herbs, a touch of brine to the acidity and sapidity and ease of drinking galore."
- Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)
95 points
"Bright, light-medium depth red-purple hue, with pristine aromas of wild berry, mixed spices, red cherry and dried flowers and herbs, translating to refined intensity on the palate. Tightly tensioned, refined and long, with beautifully honed fine-grained tannins doing a great job of providing backbone and enhancing persistence. Utterly delicious pinot noir."
- Huon Hooke (The Real Review)
2023 Holyman Pinot Noir
Joe Holyman has been described as "one of Tasmania's outstanding Pinot Noir makers." by Nick Stock and many others.
He and his wife Lou are the custodians of one of the best Pinot Noir vineyards in Tasmania and he knows his fruit very, very well.
This is another cracking release of a top-class wine with all the Holyman hallmarks: power, poise, structure and depth.
Connoisseurs of Tassie Pinot should load up, this is exceptional stuff.
96 points
"70% whole bunch, 30% new oak. Bright ruby with a beautiful aromatic profile of red cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry pip with aromas of struck flint, spice, crushed amaro herbs, sous bois, hanging game and leaf litter and turned earth. Stony, savoury and wonderfully balanced with a chalky tannin architecture and bright mineral cadence."
- Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)
95+ points
" Cherry, blueberry, violet and dried roses, black tea, a damp earthy almost truffle-like edge, some pencilly and spicy oak. It’s medium-bodied, but only just, cherry, raspberry and earthy spice set in a cool ‘mineral’ framework, tannin has a gently grainy sooty edge, and the finish is very long. This is a beautiful wine, and so distinctive. I love it. Echoes of Burgundy from a bygone era, perhaps, though don’t mind me. Yes."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)
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