Product Information:
A cooler average temperatures, and very dry lead to extremely concentrated Pinot Noir. The 2021 Lowestoft Estate Pinot Noir entices with exotic spice and rosemary envelope the nose with a lifted current of juicy cherry, red berries and bright pomegranate. Then layers of anise and five spice envelope the structured palate and intertwine with intense black plum and juicy dark cherries. Silky texture and persistent length. Will reward careful cellaring of seven to ten years.
Constant spring winds during budburst caused low vine yields. The region experienced cooler than average temperatures over the growing season causing a longer ripening period with delayed harvest dates. The driest vintage to date producing extremely high-quality fruit.
For winemaking, small parcels were hand-picked from the prestigious Lowestoft estate vineyard in the Derwent Valley (74%) as well as the East Coast (24%) and Huon Valley (2%). Batches fermented separately in open top fermenters with up to 25% whole bunch fruit included. Gentle hand plunging and occasional pump-overs produced bright concentrated colour and lifted perfume. Matured individually in large format French oak (30% new) for 10 months prior to blending and bottling with minimal fining and filtration.
“Tasmania's most exciting new label" - James Halliday Wine Companion.
Maker:
In the late 1800s, Tasmania's vineyards faced a stark fate as many were uprooted, deemed too cold for wine grape production, while workers flocked to the Victorian gold rush. It wasn’t until the mid-1950s that Claudio Alcorso breathed new life into the Tasmanian wine industry, planting 90 Riesling vines sourced from David Wynn in South Australia. By 1976, Alcorso, along with the Pirie brothers, established the first Pinot Noir vineyard in the region.
In 1986, Bernard McKay, then owner of Lowestoft, was invited to plant vines for Alcorso’s Moorilla Winery, located on the site that is now Mona. The 3-hectare plot was dedicated entirely to Pinot Noir, using cuttings from Moorilla. Following the sale of Moorilla, viticulturist Fred Peacock began sourcing some of Lowestoft's grapes for his Bream Creek Reserve Pinot Noir, with the remainder sold to Treasury Wines and others. Fast forward to 2017, when Peter Fogarty, founder and Executive Chairman of Fogarty Wine Group, turned his passion for world-class Pinot Noir towards Tasmania’s cool climate. It was during this period that Fogarty first recognized the historic Lowestoft property, ultimately acquiring it in 2019, alongside two other esteemed vineyards - Strelley Farm and Gilling Brook.
The Vineyard:
The Lowestoft homestead stands as one of Tasmania’s oldest treasures, constructed between 1839 and 1850. This stunning property graces the banks of the picturesque Derwent River, offering breath-taking views of the renowned Mona museum and art gallery, as well as Moorilla Winery. The Lowestoft vineyard itself is a compact and densely planted 3-hectare site (8300 vines per ha), featuring some of the oldest Pinot Noir plantings in Tasmania. Established in 1986, its grapes are among the most sought after in the region. Nestled just 15 minutes northwest of Hobart in the Derwent Valley subregion, the vineyard benefits from low rainfall of 400–500mm and cool temperatures that promote a long, even ripening period for its exceptional fruit. Given the vineyard's small size, the team is strategically sourcing the finest fruit parcels from select growers across various subregions, including Huon Valley, Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley, and Tamar Valley.
With a focus on producing luxury, Burgundy-style wines, Lowestoft represents the pinnacle of Tasmanian winemaking. Under the expertise of Chief Winemaker Liam McElhinney, the Lowestoft wines have been awarded 16 Trophies and 42 Gold Medals in the four years since the wines were first released. These awards include the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy, all of the ‘Best Pinot Noir’ Trophies at four major Australian wine shows, as well as Lowestoft being crowned the country’s best Pinot Noir producer in the Halliday Wine Companion 2023.
Nose - Wild Strawberries, Five-Spice, Leaf Litter
Exotic spice and rosemary envelope the nose with a lifted current of juicy cherry, red berries and bright pomegranate.
Palate - Plum, Dark Cherry, Moss
Pure red and dark cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry fruits with hints of Chinese barbecue spices, teacake and mushroom.
Finish - Sustained Red Fruit, Game, Amaro & Spice
There is a nice sense of space and clarity in this wine, fine acidity providing the pulse and a sustained red-fruited finish studded with game, amaro and spice.
A bright, complex Pinot Noir sourced from a number of vineyards, predominately the Lowestoft site overlooking the Derwent River. Pure red and dark cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry fruits with hints of Chinese barbecue shop, five-spice, teacake, mushroom, purple floral and subtle leaf litter tones. There is a nice sense of space and clarity in this wine, fine acidity providing the pulse and a sustained red-fruited finish studded with game, amaro and spice. - James Halliday Wine Companion, 95 Points.
Lower Derwent sourced fruit, essentially from the outer suburbs of Hobart, planted nigh on 40 years ago. Dense plantings. Lots of layers here. Bracken, shiitake dashi, darker cherry and freshly grown moss, spruce and other forestry allusions. Dense, pliant and convincing, this is excellent mid-weighted Tassie Pinot. - James Suckling, 95 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - Australia
Region - Tasmania
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14%
