A LINE UP OF TASMANIA'S BEST SPARKLING WINE

Tasmania's rise to Australia's premier sparkling region is gaining momentum. Here are some of their top sparkling wines.

2008 JANSZ SINGLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY

An elegant and delightfully complex nose of fresh pear, lemon zest, brioche, honey and a hint of fig. The palate is beautifully poised, uniting rich complexity with the elegance of chardonnay. All the character of dried fruits and succulent white peach is drawn into a beautifully honed vector by lively acidity and a finish of magnificent line and seamless persistence. 96 points.

2010 JANSZ VINEYARD ROSÉ

A complex rosé that unites the elegant watermelon, strawberry and guava of fresh Tasmanian pinot noir with the savoury depth and texture of 100 per cent old barrel fermentation. Complex and multifaceted yet upholding a graceful elegance and focus. Acidity rides long, even and lively through a fine, mineral-accented finish. 95 points.

2002 ARRAS EJ CARR LATE DISGORGED

A wonderful celebration of bottle-developed maturity. Silky, soft and seamless in its buttery, toasty, nutty development, retaining citrus vitality and a bitter grapefruit zest crunch. Outstanding persistence, impeccable line and a soft, creamy bead. 95 points.

NV JANSZ PREMIUM ROSÉ

Very pale salmon hue with lovely strawberries and cream on the bouquet. Pretty and elegant palate of strawberry hull and lemon zest, beautifully elegant and restrained with lovely creamy softness and excellent persistence. 94 points.

2008 JANSZ TASMANIA VINTAGE CUVÉE

Lovely notes of stone fruits and honey with hints of anise and a lovely backdrop of biscuity complexity from old barrels and lees ageing. There's a silky buttery seamlessness with a soft bready complexity. Beautiful balance between freshness, focus and depth. 94 points.

2008 FROGMORE CREEK CUVÉE EVERMORE MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE TASMANIA

A celebration of pinot noir, this cuvée is fruity, rich and powerful. Barrel and bottle maturation builds layers of nougat, roasted almond and brioche complexity. Lemon zest freshness holds out impressively, neatly tempered by well-integrated dosage. Excellent length and line. 94 points.

2005 STEFANO LUBIANA VINTAGE BRUT

At almost a decade of age this impressively youthful sparkling upholds the lively crunch of lemon zest and pear and polishes it into a silky, soft style of well-integrated acidity, invisible dosage and understated complexity of brioche, candied citrus rind and lemon butter. It finishes long and seamless. 94 points.

2005 JANSZ LATE DISGORGED CUVÉE

There is power and generosity here, think fig, grilled pineapple, honey on toast, even notes of truffle. This is no simple aperitif, it's a full-bodied sparkling of enduring persistence and creamy, silky mouthfeel. It has impeccable control despite its captivating fanfare. 94 points.

2004 ARRAS GRAND VINTAGE

The nose offers a seamless integration between slowly evolving lemon zest and white peach, and the rising ginger, spice, toast and roast nut complexity of a decade of maturity. Just the right level of texture melds seamlessly with lingering acid line on a long finish. 94 points.

2002 FREYCINET RADENTI CHARDONNAY PINOT NOIR

The pale straw hue is amazing for its age. The nose offers layers of bubblegum, lemon, grapefruit and brioche with notes of stone fruits and hints of fig. Fine mineral structure and excellent length carries biscuit and roast nut complexity from long lees ageing. There is great depth, yet restraint for a sparkling wine of this age. 94 points.

2012 APOGEE DELUXE VINTAGE BRUT

Gorgeous nose of white nectarine, citrus zest, lilies and honey. The palate strikes a wonderful tension between the intensity and richness of baked apple and the zesty vibrancy of lemon citrus. It finishes surprisingly toasty and honeyed for its young age. 93 points.

2008 PIPERS BROOK SPARKLING

A very pretty nose captures lemon blossom, Granny Smith apple and nougat. The palate contrasts tangy, sour lemon juice with well-integrated dosage and a rising complexity of nougat and brioche. A sparkling wine which captures the energy and acid tension of the great 2008 season, evolving slowly and confidently. 93 points.

2006 KREGLINGER VINTAGE BRUT

A subtle, savoury charcuterie complexity provides depth and character to an otherwise vivacious and youthful style of tense lemon juice acidity. It's honed, linear and focused with subtle dosage and a fine, creamy bead. All the elements are inplace to go the distance. 93 points.

2004 ARRAS BLANC DE BLANCS

A decade has toned this cuvée to a silky smooth style of buttery, nutty, spicy, creamy character with a hint of savouriness. Beautifully integrated energy of lingering lemon and pear reflections. Outstanding length and finely textured mouthfeel. 93 points.

Written by: Orlagh McLaughlin (Editor-in-Chief)

#foodwine #drinks #wine #drink #fooddrink