Description
Taking its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs, England ‘s first agrarian union deported as convicts to Tasmania in 1834. The vineyard was established in 1988 by local farmers the Casimaty family who joined forces with two of Australia ‘s foremost wine business trailblazers. Garry Crittenden and Tony Jordan to plant a vineyard to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Purchased in 2011 by leading producers Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith who say they never set out to purchase a vineyard in Tasmania … but upon seeing the site were immediately impressed by it ‘s near perfect growing conditions. “Buying a 20 year old vineyard in a location like this and this well set up it just isn ‘t the kind of thing that comes along very often. ” says Hill Smith.
Located about 20 minutes drive from Hobart in Tasmania ‘s south east, the Coal River Valley has established a reputation for growing exceptional quality grapes. With a climate that is at the cool extremes for viticulture in Australia, it is no surprise that Chardonnay and Pinot Noir perform so splendidly. And yet the rainfall is significantly lower than many of Australia ‘s other cool climate regions with an average of approximately 500mm of rain per year. This cool but relatively dry climate allows the grapes to ripen slowly in autumn without disease pressure that heavy rainfall can bring.
International wine dame Jancis Robinson was blown away by their inaugural vintage under Hill + Smith in 2012 and of this new release rated it a whopping 18/20 points!! Previous vintage 2013 won 3 trophies at the London International Wine Show and we think this follow up is possibly even better!
2014 vintage was low yielding but produced fruit of expceptional flavour and tannins. As the winemaker says “Expressive Pinot aromas leap from the glass once again showing the extravagant, almost exotic nature of this wine. Dark cherry and a hint of plum meld seamlessly with spice and sap notes. The palate has both ripe and earthy edges with juicy acidity delivering brightness and freshness. There’s a wonderful poise to the wine where the sense of structure and tannic grip perfectly frame the complex fruit and savoury characters.” 2014 was first vintage to be made at Shaw & Smith’s winery – which meant they had absolute control of winemaking process.
18 points – Jancis Robinson “Mid to pale cherry red. Spicy, peppery, attention-grabbing nose. Real integrity. Great savour. Dry finish after the purest of Pinot palates. Great stuff! So sleek and refreshing. Beginning, middle and end. Great violets and freshness on the finish. Fabuloso. “
97 points and Top 100 Wines for 2015 James Halliday “Excellent colour; the bouquet is highly expressive and fragrant, with red fruits wrapped in notes of spice and forest that will continue to increase as the wine develops; the palate is similarly poised between primary fruit flavours and savoury secondary characters. Its greatest assets are its balance and, above all, length. “
RRP $84
