2024 Clarence House Pinot Noir, Southern Tasmania

A vibrantly coloured Coal River Valley pinot noir that shows inviting aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry and juicy plum along with hints of five-spice, dried citrus rind, boysenberry, undergrowth, char siu, pomegranate, dried meats and earth. Supple and medium-bodied, with a bright, crunchy acid line, fine tannins and no shortage of pure fruit as it travels across the palate. Drink to 2035.

93 points Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, October 2025 

Clarence House is historic homestead built in 1830 on land which was originally the market garden for the city of Hobart. Located in the foothills of the Meehan Ranges between River Derwent and the Coal River Valley, its present owner David Kilpatrick first planted vines on the property’s dolerite and basalt northeast facing slopes in 1998. Numerous clones of Pinot Noir dominate the now 16-hectare vineyard, followed by Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and tiny experimental blocks of Pinot Blanc, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

The vineyard is managed with judicious use of inputs and sustainability in mind. Systemic herbicides, insecticides and fungicides are not used, the under vine area is slashed, the inter-row sward is left to thrive and flower, irrigation is used sparingly and the vine canopies are treated in a way that promotes balanced, tempered growth in line with the current season’s conditions.

All Clarence House wines are made by Justin Bubb and Anna Pooley. This wine was made from a myriad clones of Pinot Noir planted across six blocks and fermented with indigenous yeasts with a small whole bunch inclusion for enhanced perfume and structure. The wine was then matured in a combination of new and old French oak barriques and puncheons.