Product Information:
This wine is sourced exclusively from Stargazer’s own Palisander vineyard in the Tea Tree subregion of Coal River Valley. Bright ruby crimson in colour, the nose has a little meaty gunpowder reduction which opens up to reveal a lively combination of predominantly sour cherry and pomegranate, some clove and green peppercorn spiciness. The palate has real nerve and tension, with layered tannins and supporting the generous fruit right through to the finish.
For winemaking, there is 20% whole bunch with the remainder destemmed but not crushed. Cold soak for three days pre ferment. Post primary ferment the must is pressed off to French oak puncheons (Francois Freres, Mercurey and Ermitage), 25% new. 8 months elevage in oak with a further 10 weeks in tank.
Maker:
Stargazer pays tribute to Abel Tasman, who as an explorer and navigator, must have spent a fair amount of time gazing towards the heavens. A Dutchman under the employ of the United East India Company, Abel Tasman was the first European to sight Tasmania (on 24 November 1642) and then the South Island of New Zealand, nineteen days later on 13 December. He is a natural link for winemaker Samantha Connew, having been born and bred a South Islander, and now having fallen in love with another island, Tasmania.
For Samantha Connew, the opportunity to work with pristine fruit to craft the wines she is passionate about in an environment of extraordinary beauty is really all she wanted to do as a winemaker. Sam recollects her high school Classics teacher, a Scotsman who at one point had been in the Merchant Navy, always said that when visiting museums, art galleries, and churches we should remember to look up as the best treasures can be above us.
Talented winemaker and wine judge Samantha Connew took over the property in 2016 and expanded the vineyard to include additional vines: more pinot noir, some chardonnay and more riesling along with smaller quantities of gamay, pinot blanc, pinot gris and gewurztraminer.
Vineyard:
This is the eighth Stargazer Pinot Noir to come from the Palisander Vineyard, purchased in February 2016. Located in the Tea Tree subregion of the Coal River Valley, twenty minutes northeast of Hobart, the older section of the vineyard was planted in 2002. Primarily brown dermosol on Jurassic dolerite, the plant material is combination of clones, the majority of which is G5V12 or Wadenswil. The 2022 also includes clones Abel, 115, 777 and MV6 from the blocks planted in 2017. It is all cane pruned and trained to a vertical shoot positioned canopy, and extensively shoot and fruit thinned in the spring and summer as required.
Stargazer vineyards are located in the Tea Tree subregion at the northern end of the Coal River Valley, the original 1ha vineyard on Back Tea Tree Road was planted by Norm and Jan Gangell in 2004. Pretty much half and half riesling and pinot noir, the property (eleven hectares in total) is also home to an olive grove. Samantha took over in 2016 and in late 2017 expanded the vineyard to include an additional two hectares of vines: more pinot noir (four clones), some chardonnay (another four clones) and more riesling. Stage two of the expansion was planted in October 2021: more pinot noir (two clones), gamay, pinot blanc, riesling, pinot gris and gewurztraminer.
Whilst still very new to the whole grape grower caper, Samantha and her new vineyard manager Guy Young are fervent believers in sustainable farming, biodiversity and regenerative agriculture. As part of this approach, they use sheep in the vineyard during winter for weed control, chickens free range throughout the year and scratch around for bugs, bees contribute their pollination magic (and honey) and since 2020 we have planted over 1000 native species on the property.
Nose - Rosehip, Sour Cherry, Clove & Peppery Spices
The nose has a little meaty gunpowder reduction which opens up to reveal a lively combination of predominantly red fruits. Rosehip, sour cherry and pomegranate dominate, but there is some clove and green peppercorn spiciness there also.
Palate - Nervy, Red Fruits, Layered
The palate is compact and tight, with real nerve and tension driving the layered tannins.
Finish - Savoury, Cedar, Fruit Finish
Generous fruit right through to the finish.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - Australia
Region - Pipers River & Coal River Valley, Tasmania
Vintage - 2023
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
