Description
Delamere Vineyards is one of Tasmania’s longest running family owned and operated wine estates, focused on producing distinguished sparkling (Methode Traditionelle) and still wines from the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties. Nestled amongst the cool maritime slopes of Pipers River, in north eastern Tasmania, the vineyard was first established in 1982 placing it amongst the oldest vineyards in the region. With 6.5ha of grapes now established on the property, the age of the vineyard makes it a rare resource in Tasmania, and valuable due to the significant increase in wine quality associated with mature vines. The winery is owned and run by husband and wife vigneron’s Shane Holloway and Fran Austin (formerly of Bay of Fires).
From the winemakers: “Our passion for the region of Tasmania, at similar latitude to the Champagne and Burgundy regions in France, arises from a desire to seek out a genuine cold climate that can produce wines of classic structure, combining fruit intensity with refinement, complexity with persistence of flavour, and the ultimate expression of grape and region. The region of Pipers Brook in the north east of Tasmania enjoys a significant climatic advantage that is unique in Australia, that of a very low variability of maximum temperature. This stability is born from a unique set of geographical features, the hot northerly winds are cooled by the waters of Bass Strait, while the cool southerlies gain heat as they cross the island. This, combined with cool, relative temperatures and significant sunshine hours make for ideal conditions to retain delicate aromas. The frosty and sometimes wild conditions of winter give way to clear, crisp, blue sky days through the growing season, allowing the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly, assuring a lingering acidity essential to producing premium cool climate varietals.
“The 2019 season here at Delamere will go down on record as so close to perfection it will be hard to beat. Overall it was Tasmania’s second warmest season on record (an advantage straight out of the blocks in a cold, marginal-climate wine region like Pipers River!). In contrast to record warm temperatures in December and January, February saw a cool change. This allowed fantastic retention of acidity in the fruit. We had below average rainfall throughout the season, which meant disease pressure was non-existent, allowing us to take our time as the fruit ripened, and harvest only as it reached perfection. Crop levels were just below forecast giving us excellent depth of flavour. Coupled with near-perfect balance and racy acidity, a winemaker couldn’t ask for better material. Making wines from this year’s fruit has been an absolute privilege.
“The Pinot Noir was hand harvested from over 30-year-old vines on the Delamere property. In 2019, we included roughly 30% whole bunches in most of the Delamere Pinot parcels, with each undergoing fermentation with wild yeast in open top vessels. The wine was pressed off after two to three weeks and filled to Burgundian oak to mature. A rich and full mouth-feel results from gentle handling and spending time on lees.
“The 2019 Delamere Pinot Noir has a beautiful garnet red colour. The aroma of early summer cherries and violets has a seductive complexity, with leafy hints, and sweet spices of nutmeg and star anise. The palate has a long elegant sweetness which is framed perfectly by firm, mouth-coating tannins. The lasting, flinty acidity finished the wine beautifully. “
Top shelf Pinot of intensity (showcasing old vine depth of fruit 25-35 year old vines) complexity and elegance. Do not miss out this pedigree Pinot it is an absolute bargain!
Review of 2018
95 points, James Halliday, 1/3/2020 “Typical pale red colour equally typically misleads with its implication of light varietal expression. This is an intense wine, with rose petals and wild strawberries amid wafts of forest floor.”
RRP $53 … Our Special 6 pack buy … only $41.99 when you buy 6 of this wine*
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