Josef Chromy: an enjoyable wine tasting in a beautiful setting

While we were in Launceston, Tasmania, we visited as many cellar doors as we could fit in.  One high on our list was Josef Chromy.  We were scheduled in to a lovely lunch in the restaurant, so we enjoyed our wine tasting first.  Two of us selected the Aromatics Tasting Flight.  This post shares our wine tasting experience at Josef Chromy.

Background

Currently 1500 ha of land in Tasmania are under vine with the majority being white varietals and the remainder red. Approximately a 55% to 45% split. The focus in Tasmania is on quality wine, not quantity. Of note, just point one percent (0.1%) of Tasmanian wines are exported worldwide. The focus in Tasmania is on light bodied Pinot Noir’s; grapefruit flavoured Chardonnay’s; structured sparkling wines; and, refined and aromatic Rieslings.

Climate

Tasmania‘s cool maritime climate is a result of being cooled by prevailing winds off southern ocean. 

Wine Tasting at Josef Chromy

The cellar door is located in an older looking building on the property and is tastefully modernized within.  We selected a table overlooking the small lake out back to enjoy the wonderfully warm weather.  There were a total of 4 wines in our Aromatics Tasting Flight.

Josef Chromy 2024 Riesling

A pale yellow white wine with aromas of lemon, lemon zest, and bergamot.  These flavours are repeated on the palate, along with some intense lime.  At 13% abv, this dry, high acidity wine is medium  in complexity and flavour.  It will cellar well and some of the honey and lemon will balance with that age.  A good riesling.

Josef Chromy 2024 Pinot Gris

Again, very impressed with the pinot gris’ in Tasmania!  Aromatic, with beautiful complexity.  A pale yellow white wine, with pear, honeydew and lychee fruit on the nose.  On the palate, the added musk and ginger really makes this pinot gris sing.  Aged on lees for 3-4 months in French oak, the mouth feel/texture is superlative.  Apple, pear and stone fruit – nectarine – continues on the palate.  Dry, somewhat higher abv of 13.8% with pronounced flavour, and a pronounced finish. This is an outstanding Pinot Gris, which could be enjoyed for the next few years.  

Josef Chromy 2024 Sauvignon Blanc

Fresh, fruity, complex nose.  This pale yellow white wine had fruit notes on the palate of lemon, gooseberry, and jalapeno!  Dry, high acidity with some significant complexity.  A good Sauvignon Blanc.

Josef Chromy 2023 Rose

This rose is made from Pinot Noir grapes.  Left on skins for a few hours only, resulting in a pale pink rose.  A short maturation on lees was completed to provide some body.  The aroma and palate are of raspberry, sour cherry and nectarine.  Sharply acidic and dry.  Medium flavour and a medium minus finish.  An acceptable rose.

Summary of Josef Chromy

We enjoyed a wonderful conversation with the lady from the Cellar Door walking us through our tasting.  Some interesting facts around Australian wine production:  

• Pinot Gris production is increasing
• Sauvignon Blanc production is decreasing
• Pinot Noir is largely holding steady at approximatley 40% of total production – due largely for sparklings
• Chardonnay is steady

Specific to Tasmania:

• 40% sparkling wine
• 30% still red wine
• 30% still white wine

The cellar door tasting experience was enjoyable and interesting.  The pace was good and the surroundings were beautiful.  The Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc were the stars of the tasting and I carried on with more Pinot Gris with my lunch.  Tasmania is spoiled for choice in Rieslings and Rose which is likely reflected in my tasting notes.

For more wine tasting experiences, click on our link!

Note: while we were in Launceston in northern Tasmania, we stayed at Cloud Nine Apartment @ Tamar Ridge. Booked via Booking.com, it was a major score! Beautiful vineyard views, with a well appointed kitchen, deck and amenities for our wine tasting activities, we enjoyed this location. [I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through the link in this post.]