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 2021 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.
Every aspect of making this wine seeks to allow our unique vineyard characteristics to shine through, developing a complexity and texture that truly cool climate chardonnay fruit can carry so well. Carefully hand harvested from Delamere’s oldest vines in the cool of the morning, the fruit is pressed directly into Burgundian coopered French 2500L fourdre. Partial malolactic fermentation and 10 months of lees stirring are an integral part of crafting this wine.
Opening with pristine citrus, floral and stone fruit notes, this wine evolves with delicate shades of vanilla, almond and crème brûlée. The key to this wine is its ability to balance its taut acidity and judicious use of oak and the savoury lees influence to create a complex and interesting wine that will age gracefully over the next 8-10 years.”
This fine tassie chardonnay is something else.. depth of fruit, wild yeasts, malolactic fermentation, beautifully integrated French oak. This fine wine is testament to Shane Holloway’s belief the potential for chardonnay in Tassie is enormous
95 points, James Halliday , Weekend Australian, 3/9/2022 “Hand-picked, pressed direct to French barriques and foudres; fermentation and 100% mlf both completed naturally; 10 months’ maturation with lees stirring. The spine of tungsten acidity is a Tasmanian unique signature, not to be undertaken lightly. Drink to 2036.”
95 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “Creamed honey and white flowers, nectarine and apple, oatmeal, a layer of cinnamon and ginger oak. It’s glossy and creamy, but has tight pink grapefruit acidity, again a sort of nutty/oatmeal flavour along with sweet spices, a little brine in the mix too, some flintiness to texture, and a slight caramel flavour on a long finish. Quite opulent and rich in style, though not at the expense of zesty acidity.”
Our Special Price $61.99 – while stocks last – LAST OF THIS VINTAGE
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.