Bob McDonald

9.5

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. — 22 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

NV Australian challenger of champagne — 5 months ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.1

Pale ruby in color; cherries, hibiscus, and black tea on the nose; high acidity; low tannins; tastes like cranberries, pomegranates, red currants, and wet gravel with a long finish. — 8 months ago

David White

9.4

See previous notes
Excellent Pinot maturing very nicely — 10 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous notes. An amazing 4 Trophies at Australian wine shows. I still have 4 bottles of the 2017 Reserve which should be excellent. — 3 months ago

Jason Keefer

9.3

Such a vibrant Pinot! Visited in 2019 and brought this home, still very fresh and juicy, but lots of layers and complexity with a slightly herbaceous mid-palette. Divine! — 6 months ago

with Natasha

Beth Llewellyn

9.1

We went to the fancy tasting rooms and the wines were meh. We went to the cheap and cheerful room at Freycinet and it was kapow! Great wine! — 9 months ago

Big Wave Dave

9.3

Very good. Started bright and red and evolved in the glass to be darker, more savoury and structured. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

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. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Rich and mouth filling. Spices, red and black fruits. Medium bodied with medium plus intensity. Coats the palate. Fermentation with 40% whole bunches. A classic Tasmanian Pinot. Very good but a point or two behind their stellar 2015. 98 points and Top 100 Wines of 2020 from James Halliday. — 6 months ago