2023 Derwent Lime Kiln Point Pinot Noir, Southern Tasmania

Raspberry, strawberry, some nutty nougat oak and spice. It’s a lively and juicy wine, red fruit, a slightly minty and sappy edge, strawberry and milk chocolate, a dusty feel to tannin, some dried herb, with a fresh finish of good length. Easy-going and good drinking all up.

91 points Gary Walsh winefront.com.au

Derwent Lime Kiln Point Pinot Noir Southern Tasmania is a site driven Tasmanian Pinot Noir that showcases the precision and quiet power of this emerging cool climate region. Derwent Estate sits on the banks of the Derwent River just north of Hobart, with Lime Kiln Point forming one of its most distinctive vineyard sites. The estate was established in the late 1980s and has steadily built a reputation for elegant, age worthy Pinot Noir shaped by southern Tasmania’s long growing season, low yields and maritime influence. The river acts as a natural temperature regulator, while ancient sandy loam and gravel soils contribute finesse and mineral tension.

In the glass it shows a bright ruby red with delicate garnet hues. The nose is layered and finely detailed, offering red cherry, wild strawberry and cranberry interwoven with rose petal, subtle spice and a hint of forest floor. There is a gentle savoury edge and mineral lift that reflect the cool southern Tasmanian climate.

The palate is medium bodied and beautifully structured, combining purity of red fruit with silky tannins and vibrant acidity. Cherry and raspberry notes glide across a finely tuned framework, with nuances of clove, dried herbs and discreet oak adding texture and complexity. The finish is long, savoury and persistent, carrying both fruit brightness and earthy depth.

Pair with roast duck, herb crusted lamb, grilled Atlantic salmon or wild mushroom and thyme tart. While approachable now with a short decant, it will reward patient cellaring for eight to fifteen years, developing tertiary notes of truffle, undergrowth and savoury richness.