A wine of astounding complexity, a shape-shifter. Immediately in the glass, nutty roasted almond, funk (a little reductive), musty books and turpentine. Iron/sanguinous aftertaste. Little acidity up front, a bit flat in texture. Peach pit, yellow peach, honeycomb. — 2 years ago
Very identifiable as Tasmanian Pinot - this one from the Coal River and the high performing Pooley Wines. Last tasting note here was way back 153 weeks ago. Red fruited - drinking this early in its drinking window. Light to medium weight - lovely Tassie purity. Fine tannins. — 2 years ago
My 2nd last 2018 Pooley Pinot Noir. Pale Ruby in colour, tawny shades almost transparent. The colour appears to have become paler with age - a characteristic I haven’t seen before. On the palate evidence of whole bunch in the ferment - herbal, stalky amid the red fruits. The pale colour belies the palate intensity. Coal River is becoming part of Tasmanian Pinot Royalty. — 3 months ago
Amazing.
Nose is cherry and minerals.
Palate is cherry, cherry pit, minerals. Soooooo juicy. So fresh. So well made. Texture is amazing. So silky. Elegant spice. Lacks elite density but damned this is well made. For this price … yah .. good luck finding a non special night wine in burgundy. Good luck.
Long assed finish. — 3 years ago
Consistently exceptional
You truly need a bottle of this wine at reach always.
Easy drinking, but also deep
This is telling me that Tasmanian Pinot can definitely be considered super seriously at a world level. They have set a style and the bar is quite high. — 3 months ago
The 2021 Soave Classico Monte Carbonare is decidedly savory, displaying notes of crushed rocks and dried flowers that give way to white peach and hints of gingery spice. It sweeps across the palate with a silky, textural wave of liquid florals and ripe pit-fruits, riding along a core of vibrant acidity. Notions of candied lime and saline minerals linger through the long and youthfully tense finale as the 2021 leaves a confectionary air of spice. (Eric Guido, Vinous, February 2024)
— 2 years ago
2020
Lighter Pinot round flavors very drinkable — 3 years ago
Bob McDonald
Top flight Tasmanian Chardonnay from Tolpuddle in the Coal River made and owned by Shaw and Smith. A logistical challenge shipping the grapes from Tasmania to the Adelaide Hills in refrigerated containers to Shaw and Smith HQ where the grapes are crushed and vinified. Initially the wine is lean when tasting - perhaps a little young. Lemon and grapefruit fruit notes and barrel ferment characters with a 10 year life ahead. My first of 3. The next in 3 to 5 years by which time I expect more stone fruit textures to be apparent. 98 points from Huon Hooke. — 21 hours ago