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. “
The Pipers River region is famous for its iconic sparkling wines because of marginal cool climate.

The Non-Vintage Sparkling Cuvée is a blend of vintages with the majority coming from 2014 vintage, with 30% of reserve wine adding complexity and depth. 2014 was a warmer season, with ripe flavours being achieved early in the season, at low sugar levels.  2014 yields were particularly small, giving wonderful concentration of flavour.

As with all of Delamere’s sparkling wines, the Cuvée NV is made by the traditional method with an average four years lees time. The assemblage was focused on retaining the fresh fruit characteristics whilst balancing the autolytic and more mature flavours.

This wine showcases many of the elements that make a non-vintage sparkling wine so appealing. The maturity of the older wine brings a richness and depth, which combines beautifully with the fresh apple, citrus and stone fruit flavours of the younger wines. The Cuvée NV has flavours of fresh bread, nuts and leatherwood honey and a lingering and complex finish. Too good to save just for special occasions!

90 points, James Halliday’s 2019 Australian Wine Companion: “18% reserve wine, overall blend is 60/40 pinot noir and chardonnay. It floats through the palate in elegant fashion, notes of custard apple, citrus and assorted florals making for a pretty impression. There’s a baked, almost rye bread note to the nose which certainly doesn’t hurt matters. Performs well.”

90 points, Tyson Stelzer’s Australian Sparkling Report 2018 “In brand new, elegantly characterful livery inspired by the guinea fowl that graces the vineyard, this is a cuvée that embodies the spicy wild strawberry fruit of Delamere pinot noir, with the texture and complexity of lees age. It culminates in a soft finish of lingering fruit sweetness.”

RRP $35  **SPECIAL DOZEN BUY … Only $27.50 when you buy 12 of this wine**