2025 42 Degrees South Pinot Noir, Coal River Valley

A light, perfumed, breezy style of pinot noir that shows bouncy raspberry, strawberry, red cherry and redcurrant fruits with hints of exotic spice, wildflowers, earth, citrus blossom and dried rinds, a flash of watermelon and gentle crushed herbs. Spacious with airy fruit flow, a briny mineral driveline and a lifted, energetic finish. Pop it in the fridge for a while if the situation dictates. Drink to 2034.

90 points Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, March 2026

42 Degrees South wines are made by Frogmore Creek, a vineyard in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley established in the mid-1990s by the Scherer family. It has been part of the Hill-Smith family’s portfolio of vineyards and brands since December 2012 and has since expanded to include two other nearby sites. Chief winemaker Alain Rousseau has led the work at the winery for more than 20 years.

The name for these wines represents the central latitude of Tasmania. The wines are easy drinking and fruit driven varietal expressions to be enjoyed a year or two from release.

The grapes for this Pinot were crushed into fermenters for a 48-hour pre-ferment soak ahead of half being inoculated with a select yeast strain, with the balance allowed to ferment with indigenous yeasts. The must was pumped over daily and pressed into stainless steel when dry. pressed off skins in tanks when dry. The wine was allowed to go through malolactic fermentation and was filtered ahead of an early July bottling.