2014 Henskens Rankin Vintage Brut Cuvée, Tasmania

This is 70% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir sourced from the Coal River Valley and Tasman Peninsula. Eight years on lees, disgorged 12 August 2022, dosage 2g/L. Light straw with a fine bead and characters of green and red apple, lemon and peach, with hints of shortbread biscuits, freshly baked brioche, lemon curd, tarte Tatin, soft spice, Le Dauphin cheese, vanilla, soft spice and sweet almond meal. Expansive with plenty of biscuity tones and complexity, along with fine, lacy mineral drive, finishing long and moreish.

95 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Light to medium yellow colour showing some bottle-age; mellow, mature bouquet of roasted hazelnut, pencil-shavings and buttered toast and even a trace of buttered sweetcorn. A hint of milk powder too. The wine is rich and full-bodied, the voluminous flavour filling the mouth and leaving very dry and appetising, with a long follow-through. A very mature, aged style of sparkling which has generosity and length, the aftertaste lip-smackingly dry. 15 Oct 2023 Drink 2023–2026

95 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

Henskens Rankin Vintage Brut Cuvée from Tasmania is a beautifully crafted sparkling wine that captures the precision, elegance, and cool climate energy that have made Tasmania Australia’s sparkling wine capital. Founded by Roslyn Henskens and John Rankin, Henskens Rankin is a boutique, artisan producer dedicated to creating traditional method sparkling wines of extraordinary finesse and ageworthiness, with meticulous attention to detail from vineyard to bottle.

The Vintage Brut Cuvée is sourced from carefully selected cool climate vineyards across Tasmania, including sites in the Tamar Valley and Pipers River regions where ancient soils, maritime breezes, and long ripening seasons allow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to reach perfect balance. Fruit is hand harvested at low baumé to preserve natural acidity and delicate aromatics.

Winemaking follows the traditional Champagne method with unwavering focus. Each base wine component is vinified separately, fermented with natural yeasts where possible, and aged on lees for extended periods to build complexity. Secondary fermentation occurs in bottle, followed by a lengthy maturation on lees that imparts fine texture, savoury depth, and a beautifully integrated mousse.

In the glass, Henskens Rankin Vintage Brut Cuvée offers lifted aromas of green apple, lemon zest, almond croissant, white flowers, and brioche. The palate is tight and mineral driven with crisp citrus, fresh orchard fruits, fine creamy bubbles, and a long, chalky, saline finish. It is pure, detailed, and layered without losing freshness or energy, a true celebration of Tasmanian terroir.

Perfect with oysters, grilled seafood, sashimi, or simply as an aperitif, this wine is a standout for those who appreciate artisanal sparkling wines crafted with care and patience.