2024 Meadowbank Gamay, Derwent Valley

A delicious gamay from Gerald Ellis's Meadowbank vineyard in the Derwent Valley, made by Peter Dredge. I'm all-in on Tasmanian gamay. I love it. Savoury, pure and beautifully weighted, it feels like it has been touched by the sea – all briny and rocky with savoury-edged red plum, cranberry and cherry fruits with some lovely exotic spice, pressed wildflower notes and light meaty nuance. So easy to drink with a bright cadence and plenty of spacious detail. It'll take a chill, too, if that's your thing (and that should be your thing).

94 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Since its first release, Meadowbank’s Gamay has generated considerable excitement in the trade. With some foresight, Meadowbank’s original Pinot Block was planted to Gamay in 1987. Then, in 2015, a second small Gamay block (descriptively named Top Woolshed) joined the fold. The soils in each block are loose sand over sandstone and dark brown coffee rock. The second block has a component of dolerite. Both sites are farmed sustainably.

The blocks were picked separately and fermented as whole clusters over 12 days. The wine was foot-stomped over the next few days before being pressed to old French barriques before maturing for three months in barrel. Bottled without fining or filtration and packing plenty of lip-smacking freshness, this Gamay offers bright, lifted perfume and an irresistibly juicy, sappy, red-fruited palate. Peter Dredge is pretty happy with this one, and we can see why.