Bob McDonald

9.5

Top flight Tasmanian Chardonnay from Tolpuddle in the Coal River made and owned by Shaw and Smith. A logistical challenge shipping the grapes from Tasmania to the Adelaide Hills in refrigerated containers to Shaw and Smith HQ where the grapes are crushed and vinified. Initially the wine is lean when tasting - perhaps a little young. Lemon and grapefruit fruit notes and barrel ferment characters with a 10 year life ahead. My first of 3. The next in 3 to 5 years by which time I expect more stone fruit textures to be apparent. 98 points from Huon Hooke. — 13 days ago

David White

9.4

What can I add - just read @Bob McDonalds notes
Excellent Tasmanian Pinot — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid crimson in colour - almost transparent. Red fruited with typical Huon Valley perfume - earthy, Sous Bois, mushroom - sweet and savoury characters on the palate. Finely textured (Chairman’s Trophy - 2020 Tasmanian Wine Show). There is a Reserve Cuvée which is richer still. Had another bottle 63 weeks later on 1st August 2024 with similar notes. Always rich and delicious. I can see why it won the Chairmans Trophy in Tasmania. Had another bottle on 21st June 2025 with similar notes. Luscious, mouth filling and delicious. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Pale crimson in colour - nearly transparent. Has that luscious mouthfeel typical of many Tasmanian Pinot. Great palate intensity. Cherry with some stemmy herbal notes. One of those wines where the pale colour doesn’t prepare you for the profound palate intensity. Only 20% whole bunches in the ferment which shows sensitive intuitive winemaking. Winner of the Trophy for the best Pinot Noir at Royal Adelaide and also at Royal Hobart Wine Shows. Incredible value for such a highly awarded wine: 6 bottles @ $39.95 each. Luckily I have 3 bottles left. Plan to have one each year - 2027, 2028 and 2029. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

My 2nd last 2018 Pooley Pinot Noir. Pale Ruby in colour, tawny shades almost transparent. The colour appears to have become paler with age - a characteristic I haven’t seen before. On the palate evidence of whole bunch in the ferment - herbal, stalky amid the red fruits. The pale colour belies the palate intensity. Coal River is becoming part of Tasmanian Pinot Royalty. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Very identifiable as Tasmanian Pinot - this one from the Coal River and the high performing Pooley Wines. Last tasting note here was way back 153 weeks ago. Red fruited - drinking this early in its drinking window. Light to medium weight - lovely Tassie purity. Fine tannins. — 2 years ago

Cody LaRocque

9.4

My first Tasmanian wine. Light. — 3 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.4

Consistently exceptional
You truly need a bottle of this wine at reach always.
Easy drinking, but also deep
This is telling me that Tasmanian Pinot can definitely be considered super seriously at a world level. They have set a style and the bar is quite high. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Rich and mouth filling. Spices, red and black fruits. Medium bodied with medium plus intensity. Coats the palate. Fermentation with 40% whole bunches. A classic Tasmanian Pinot. Very good but a point or two behind their stellar 2015. 98 points and Top 100 Wines of 2020 from James Halliday. — 6 months ago

Gabby

9.7

Burnt ends - what a fucking cool Tasmanian Chardonnay! Super mineral and fruity. Kind of too oaky at first but it mellowed and it was beautiful. The sommelier told me it was close to a Chablis premier cru because the soil is mostly@limestone. — 3 years ago