2023 Dalrymple Single Site Ouse Pinot Noir, Derwent Valley

Ouse is a super interesting site. Look at a map. It's way up in the Central Highlands, up the top of the Derwent River past Meadowbank Lake. It's cool and remote up there and there is a wonderful focus and intensity to the fruit profile. Wild strawberries, red plum and raspberry with hints of exotic spice, dried meats, leaf litter, Chinese barbecue shop, shiitake, almond blossom, raspberry pip and amaro herbs. It's a lovely smelling wine and those aromas transpose neatly over onto the palate, which is pure, finely honed and shows great structure. Powdered riverstone tannins and a flourish of raspberry on the exit.

95 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Dalrymple’s Single Site Ouse Pinot Noir is part of the winery’s exploration of Tasmania’s diverse Pinot Noir terroirs, showcasing fruit from the Ouse Valley in the Derwent wine region. Dalrymple, founded in 1987 and now under the guidance of winemaker Peter Caldwell, is known for crafting site-specific wines that highlight the island’s varied microclimates. The Ouse vineyard lies inland at higher elevation than Dalrymple’s coastal sites, giving it a cooler, more continental climate. Cold nights and a long ripening season allow the grapes to develop intense colour, fine tannins, and vibrant acidity while preserving delicate aromatics. Gravelly loam soils over clay provide good drainage but also enough moisture retention to sustain the vines through Tasmania’s dry summer periods.

In the glass, this Pinot Noir shows a deep ruby hue with a lifted, aromatic bouquet of red cherry, cranberry, and wild strawberry, laced with rose petal, subtle thyme, and a hint of baking spice. The palate is structured yet silky, with a core of concentrated red fruit framed by fine tannins and a lively acid line. Savoury notes of forest floor and a gentle smokiness from French oak maturation add complexity. There’s a distinct precision and length here, reflecting both the Ouse site and Dalrymple’s light-handed winemaking approach.

It’s a superb food wine, pairing beautifully with roast duck and cherry glaze, lamb rack with rosemary, mushroom and truffle risotto, or grilled salmon. While approachable now for its perfume and purity, it has the depth and balance to cellar for 8 to 10 years, gaining earthy, gamey complexity.