August 2024 Releases: Apsley Gorge 2021 Pinot Noir $65 & Invercarron 2022 Pinot Noir $45

Apsley Gorge 2021 PinotNoir $65

Former Abalone diver and Lobster fisherman Brian Franklin planted Apsley Gorge with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the early 1990’s. Situated in the Apsley Valley about 14 kilometres from the township of Bicheno, Tasmania, the vineyard enjoys an excellent climate for both these grape varieties. The first vintage was produced in 1993. The vineyard, about 7 hectares, is farmed as low yield and non-irrigated to ensure the stability of the fruit, hand pruned and handpicked maintains the quality of the grapes from vineyard to winery. Brian took over the winemaking in the late 1990’s and quickly became noticed as an exceptional winemaker. His winemaking skills in the traditional French style were honed originally with Phillipe Charlopin, one of Burgundy’s most notable winemakers. Brian has worked every vintage in Burgundy since 2000, lately working with Phillipe’s son Yann at Domain Charlopin-Tissier.   Vintage 2021: Notes compiled by Brian Franklin. The 2021 vintage was the earliest on record. It was an amazing spring and summer at Bicheno with periodic good rain. Last year we cut 32 bales of hay. This year 100, and we could have done a second cut. Bud burst was early and the flowering went well. The bunches were small and so were the berries. We estimated the crop to be below average, but in the wash up it was normal. What caught us out was how quickly it ripened.  The sugars came up very quickly, probably because the canopy was excellent.  We started picking Pinot on the 4th of April, where we would normally start at the end of April or early May. Interestingly even with the high sugars the pH was very low. After destemming, and with the skin contact from the cold soak, the acids dropped off to an acceptable level. With the ripeness and the small berries the colour and the fruit flavours were deep and very intense. The weather was quite cool so the natural yeast didn’t start until the end of the month so there was extended skin contact. We pressed before dryness as we were wary of over extraction. After settling it was into barrel. This year, because of the intense fruit weight, we used more new French oak, with 4 different coopers. The chardonnay was picked in mid-April. It was a bit leaner than usual, but with a bit more focus. More the Puligny than Meursault. All in all an interesting year and something to look forward to.   Brian Franklin’s tasting notes: 2021 Pinot Noir:  The colour is typical of Apsley Gorge showing those deep purple tones with the classic cherry rim. This wine is unfiltered and unfined so it doesn’t have the sparkle of the stars, but more the hues of the earth.  The nose has varietal fruit beneath the slightly feral, mysterious, nuances of the wild yeast. French oak is there providing yet another layer of complexity. The pallet entry is rich and textured but also slightly restrained teasing you with what will follow. This wine is not a blockbuster, but leans more towards elegance and refined burgundy characters with the long finish. This is a structured wine reflecting the philosophy of AGV, the expression of terroir and vintage. 

Invercarron 2022 Pinot Noir

The Jones Family received their first parcel of land in the Jordan Valley in 1818. Although the physical location has since changed, the Jones family have maintained their farming origins and, six generations later, are still successfully farming the region. Invercarron is now owned & farmed by Andrew and Karen Jones. We are located in Broadmarsh, a hidden gem located in the Jordan Valley, only a 45 minute drive from Hobart. Being the first vineyard in the region has its challenges, however our location is what makes us unique. The site for the vines was selected after a search of the property, settling on a north-facing block perched high above the valley. The site provides panoramic views of the region, you can see the sheep grazing, the tractor ploughing the fields – all while standing amongst the vines of Invercarron Vineyard. It’s a very unique office. After many soil tests, family discussions and research, the first vines were planted in 2017. Three generations of the Jones’s rolled up their sleeves to chip in and help out. We decided to plant Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, due to the pristine cool-climate growing conditions in Southern Tasmania. Fast forward to now, and we are just about to bottle our second vintage. Out first vintage exceeded all expectations, with our Pinot Noir achieving a score of 93/100 from Huon Hooke. Being introduced to the wine world has been a steep learning curve, for all of us, but we are committed to putting The Jordan Valley on the map. Like our pioneering ancestors, Invercarron Wines is breaking new ground in the Jordan Valley to ensure the Jones legacy remains for many generations to come. 2022 INVERCARRON PINOTNOIR TASTING NOTES by winemaker Justin Arnold at Ghost Rock winery. The first mouthful reveals blue berry and red cherry fruits with the floral lift of violet flowers. It has a silky texture that makes for a plush softness through the mid palate, but then it also reveals a savoury aspect from orange peel and nutmeg which then lead to a lingering tannin structure, that is fine and dry. Its medium bodied with impeccable structure that should see this wine continue to develop in the cellar through to 2030. VINIFICATION NOTES 100% destemmed prior to fermentation. 3-5 day cold soak prior to fermentation. A combination of old and new French oak, 30% new. Use of wild and inoculated yeast which provided beautiful aromatics, complexity and structure. Only small quantities produced. Cherry, spice and forest floor characters drive this wine Vegan friendly. Clones Abel, 777, D4V2 & D5V12. Unfined.