Delamere Sparkling Cuvee NV

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). Winemaker Fran Austin worked alongside Ed Carr (aka the Wizard of Fizz) during the creation and evolution of Arras super premium Australian sparkling and then as head winemaker at Bay of Fires in Tassie. To say Fran is passionate about Sparkling is an understatement – it is her life!

From the winery: “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 and 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.”

“Delamere sparkling wines are among the most exciting sparkling wines coming out of Tasmania—and there are many in that category these days”

About this wine from the winemaker “Spring of 2021, the commencement of the 2022 growing season, was one of the wettest on record for Tasmania. Temperatures were slightly warmer than average but were still the coolest we’d experienced since 2016. So, although the data suggested a warm start, a later than normal budburst suggested potential for a late year to most of us. The new year ushered in a change, with conditions turning dry and warm. Ripening raced ahead with the glossy canopies from the early season rainfall, and fruit flavours developed well. The final wines have full ripe flavours, with zest fresh acidity. Moderate crop levels overall have delivered wine of excellent depth and intensity..

“Handpicked, whole bunch pressed with 100% MLF, the NV Cuvée is made by the traditional method of bottle fermentation. Blending, a key aspect of this wine, is always focused on retaining the fresh fruit characteristics whilst balancing the more complex flavours that come with wine maturation in barrel and on yeast lees.

“The varietal blend is 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir, with 22% reserve wine blended into the 2022 base. The reserve blend consists of 4% 2021, 12% 2020, 4% 2018, and 2% 2017. Tirage Date: December 2022, Disgorgment date 12/6/2024 (18 months tirage age).

“A fresh and lifted fruit-driven aroma of apples, white blossoms and lemongrass. The palate is zesty and bright, with hints of complex hazelnut and brioche bread. The texture of this wine is firm but elegant with lemony acidity giving length to the delicately creamy palate.”

94 points Huon Hooke, The Real Review “Bright, shiny light-mid yellow colour n the glass; the bouquet is very pinoty, with smoky charcuterie and almost Vegemite-like autolysed yeast character. The wine is rich and full in the mouth, loaded with flavour and richness, balanced and lingering on the aftertaste, with good cleansing acidity and dryness, the after-sensation appetising and more-ish. A top-flight Australian sparkling wine.” October 2024.

94 points, Dave Brookes for  James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion “A blend of 55% chardonnay and 45% pinot noir, 2022 base with 21% reserve wine from 21,20,18 and 17. Dosage 5g/L, disgorged June 2024 (18 months tirage). Pale straw with a fine, energetic bead. Green apple, lemon, grapefruit and white peach with hints of sea spray, almond meal, white flowers, stone, cream and fresh apple pastries. Crisp, coiled and long with a beautiful draw of grapefruit, brioche and light mealy notes, finishing focused and stony. Great value here.” August 2024.

RRP $46  *Our Special Price Only $38.99 when you buy 6 of this wine**