POOLEY Jack Denis Pooley Pinot Noir, Coal River Valley, Tasmania

POOLEY Cooinda Vale Oronsay Pinot Noir, Coal River Valley, Tasmania

Pooley Wines was established in 1985 when the late Denis and Margaret Pooley planted ten rows of Riesling and seven rows of Pinot Noir on their 16-hectare farm at Cooinda Vale in the Coal River Valley in southern Tasmania. Cooinda Vale Vineyard was established in 1985 by Pooley’s founders, Margaret and Dennis Pooley. Sitting between 80-100m above sea level, the vineyard is tucked away in a nook of hills North of Campania making it much more protected from prevailing weather conditions. Being more continental it also experiences greater extremes in temperatures bringing more frequent frosts, snow and heat waves. The iron lacking grey brown sandy loam over clay subsoils at this site tend to bring a moderate level of struggle to the vines by restricting deep root growth and water accessibility but in turn creates a wine that is more delicate and finer. Named after the second generation John Roy Denis Pooley and sourced from a very small block of Syrah that was planted in 1999 Matt Pooley as a trial block of Syrah looking specifically at climate change and where it would lead Tasmania's wine future. Four rows of this varietal were planted, later expanded to eight rows which is enough to make 2-3 barrels depending on the vintage. 100% destemmed, with wild fermentation for 10 days and pressed to French oak barriques for 14 months. Crunchy notes of bramble, blueberries, violets, and a dusting of white pepper on the nose. A mouth-watering display of aniseed, red liquorice, tobacco leaf, and cocoa continuing on the palate. Brilliant tension, integrated tannins, and layered complexity. Simply wondrous. This wine will continue to develop with careful cellaring. Drink now til 2040.

The Pooley's planted their first vineyards over 35 years ago in the Coal River Valley of southern Tasmania. In 2013, after working in some of the best wineries around the world, Anna Pooley became the 3rd Generation winemaker of the family business, propelling the estate to critical acclaim. Their vineyards are set on excellent sites that receive very long sunlight hours for optimum ripening while producing fruit with finesse thanks to the close proximity to the cool Tasman Sea. The Butcher’s Hill ‘Oronsay’ Pinot Noir is produced from 20-year-old vines (MV6 clone) on a north-facing slope at 30-100m above sea level. Following a 100% whole bunch fermentation of 21 days, the fruit was pressed to French oak barriques, 40% being new barrels, for 14 months of elevage. Expect a lively acid profile with chalky yet ripened tannin, pronounced weight, aromas of wild cherry, and an underlying savoury character.

The Fogarty family first landed in Tasmania from Ireland in the mid-1800s, and have recently returned to their roots with their exciting project Lowestoft. Produced from the close-planted (8,300 vines per hectare) vines at Lowestoft planted in 1986. The fruit was hand-picked and matured in large-format French oak (35% new) for ten months.