2017 Delamere Vintage Sparkling Cuvee, Tasmania

A chardonnay/pinot noir blend. The 2017 vintage delivers characters of baked apple, soft spice, light brioche notes, crushed stone and red apple crunch. Hints of light biscuit and autolysis flow in on the palate, along with hints of white flowers, stone, lemon curd and almond paste. The acidity is fine, lacy and of swift cadence, the dosage modest and the finish clean, crisp and appley.

94 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Gentle whole bunch pressing of the fruit and blended whilst still juice, the 2016 Cuvée is an elegant wine representing some excellent characteristics of the vintage.  The assemblage consists of 64% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir. This year allowed us to use a large proportion of solids during fermentation to give extra depth and complexity. Four years of tirage age, in tandem with 3g/l dosage, this wine shows a luscious palate with evocative length.

White flowers, lemon blossom and lovely biscuity autolysis presage this wine’s opulence. Structural and balanced with fine tannins, the slightly higher dosage of 3g/l vibrantly delivers a palate of sherbet, lemon curd and refined minerality. A wine that will develop brilliantly under cork.

In its youth, this wine is served best with a selection of fresh Tasmanian Seafood. With age the Cuvee is best accompanied with Peking Duck, spatchcock or poached quail eggs.