Tamar Ridge, Tasmania
 On first trying the wines of Tamar Ridge you are struck by the purity of the fruit and the remarkable flavours that seem to balance New World ripeness with European elegance and complexity. When you look more closely at this new producer, whose first vines were planted in 1994, you can see why their new releases are creating so much excitement. It is the combination of the ideal cool-climate situation of the vineyards and the skills of winemaker Andrew Pirie and viticulturalist Richard Smart. Pirie was previously winemaker at Piper’s Brook where he played a pivotal role in the development of Tasmanian wine. The name Dr. Richard Smart may not be familiar to many but it is hard to exaggerate his influence on modern viticulture. His work on canopy management is the foundation of cool-climate vine-growing and without it, premium quality wines from Tasmania, or even England for that matter, would not be possible.
Tasmania’s cool, maritime climate has more in common with New Zealand than the rest of Australia. The 137 ha of vineyards at Kayena Estate are located on the west bank of the Tamar River, some 40km north of Launceston, near the northern coast. This is the same latitude as New Zealand’s Marlborough region and so not surprisingly the stars here are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir together with aromatic varieties like Gewurztraminer.
Richard Smart’s expertise in vine trellising coupled with his knowledge of the particular soils and microclimates has enabled him to match varieties to specific sites. And in the winery, the super-talented Andrew Pirie balances state-of-the-art winemaking technology with traditional techniques. For white wines, fermentation temperatures are kept cool to retain aromatic character and the Chardonnay is fermented with ‘wild’ yeasts to give extra complexity. The Pinot Noir is treated in an almost Burgundian fashion before ageing in French oak barrels. Grapes from different sites and clones are kept separate until the final blend and the result is an exceptional wine. Jancis Robinson was especially impressed by the Sauvignon, noting that the ‘2006 seems to have more concentration than many examples from Marlborough.’ Whatever your preference, these are rather special wines that are particularly attractive with our 10% case discount. Or why not try our Tamar Ridge Sampler Case, 3 bottles of each wine, and save even more?
TAMAR RIDGE Devil’s Corner Chardonnay 2004 TASMANIA 13%
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Devil’s Corner, named after a treacherous bend in the Tamar River, is in effect a ‘Second Wine’ to the Kayena Estate range. This Chardonnay is a selection of the lighter, more accessible lots and a small proportion was fermented in oak to give additional complexity. The 2004 vintage was particularly cool and this certainly shows in the wine’s pure, vibrant character and intense minerality.
Lean, minerally aromas with notes of grapefruit, ripe pear, nectarine and citrus fruits. On the palate the same fruits overlay a gentle, creamy palate with good weight and a lasting citrusy finish. Impressive mouth-filling intensity yet showing balance and elegance.
| At Peak Now – 2009 |
Quality 88 |
AU0894W |
£8.49 |
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TAMAR RIDGE Kayena Estate Pinot Noir 2004 TASMANIA 13%
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This stunning wine shows just how good Tasmanian Pinot Noir can be. It combines silky New World ripeness with Burgundian depth and complexity. Immaculate care in the vineyard is combined with a gentle approach in the winery. The aim is to achieve good extraction of colour and flavour without harsh tannins, The wine is then aged 12 months in French oak barrels to round out the flavours. This is great wine at a very reasonable price.
Lifted cherry and plum aromas with notes of spice and vanilla. Medium bodied with cherry and kirsch flavours, liquorice and subtle herbs. Very smooth and fresh with soft, silky tannins, good complexity and a lovely persistent finish.
| At Peak Now – 2010 |
Quality 90 |
AU1034R |
£9.99 |
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TAMAR RIDGE Kayena Estate Gewurztraminer 2005 TASMANIA 14.5%
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The 2005 is only the third vintage for the Kayena Gewurztraminer. The vines are still comparatively young and production very limited. However with a superb vintage in 2005, this is certainly the best wine yet. After pressing, the juice was quickly separated from the skins and then cold-settled to remove any solids. Fermentation was then carried out in stainless steel tanks with strict temperature control to maximise retention of fruit flavours.
Exotic aromas of spice and rose petals and a touch of lychee. Deceptively full and ripe in the mouth with intense flavours of tropical fruits, balancing citrus acidity and a characteristic spiciness. Persists well on the finish.
| At Peak Now – 2010 |
Quality 88 |
AU1025W |
£9.49 |
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TAMAR RIDGE Kayena Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2006 TASMANIA 13.5%
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Not only are the vineyards here on the same latitude New Zealand’s Marlborough, but they are also planted with the same Sauvignon clone. Sauvignon Blanc here has a similar flavour and intensity but with an additional level of elegance and complexity. Rarely are we all united in our praise for a particular wine, but the Tamar Ridge is amazing. If you like New World Sauvignon, then you simply must try it.
Intense aromas of ripe citrus fruits, nettles and newly mown grass. Fine integrated acidity allows the fresh, herbaceous flavours to shine through with a long, powerful, slightly aromatic finish. Impressive power and balance without being tart or over-powering.
| At Peak Now – 2009 |
Quality 90 |
AU1016W |
£9.99 |
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SPECIAL OFFER
Tamar Ridge Sampler Case - contains 3 bottles of each of the above wines -
SAVE £13.93 per case.
Case Code: AUC015M Offer Price: £99.95 |
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