TOLPUDDLE COAL RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR
The Tolpuddle Vineyard was purchased by Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw in 2011. First planted in 1988 by Tony Jordan and Garry Crittenden with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it has since established a reputation for growing exceptional quality grapes. The vineyard took its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs, who were transported to Australia in 1834 for starting an agrarian union. The leader of the group, George Loveless, served part of his sentence working on a property near Richmond called GlenAyr, part of which is now the Tolpuddle Vineyard.
The Tolpuddle vineyard is in the Coal River Valley, just outside of Hobart. This area is significantly drier than other cool-climate regions, with an average of 500 millimetres of rain per year. These cool conditions but low rainfall allows the grapes to ripen slowly through autumn without the disease pressure more rain can bring. The Tolpuddle vineyards are north-east facing and the soil is light silica over sandstone.
This wine has gorgeous aromatics with violets and red berries coming to the fore. There is abundant fruit with notes of sour cherry, raspberry, blueberry, and a touch of rhubarb. Underlying savoury characters include graphite and cured meat, and some toasted spices. Medium weight, with very fine tannins. Fresh and enticing, perfumed and delicious.
