Some Excellent White and Sparklings at Milton Vineyard

We visited the Milton Vineyard in Tasmania, Australia the first time during our stay as the last vineyard for the day. However, they had a private event the day prior and were closed for cleanup! We squeezed it in to a later day when we commenced our journey on the Great Eastern Drive up the coast of Tassie. A beautiful vantage point with lovely grounds, Milton was gorgeous on the sunny day of our visit. This post shares out tasting experience at the Milton Vineyard cellar door.

Background

The East Coast Wine Region is on the eastern coast of Tasmania. It’s one of the states most scenic regions. From beautiful beaches to amazing stretches of vineyards you do not want for beautiful places to see and visit. There are around 22 vineyards producing almost 100 unique wines across this region. One of the warmest areas in Tasmania rainfall is low and indeed has seen a decline in the last many years.

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 really on quality less so than 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 the result of being cooled by prevailing winds off southern ocean. 

Milton Vineyard Wine Tastings

For our wine tasting at Milton, three of our party indulged. I completed the Reserve selection.

Milton Vineyard 2021 Sparkling Laura

A pale, lemon sparkling wine. Crisp lemon and grapefruit on the nose. The palate revealed some red cherry and peach. This is a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes (40% chardonnay). It is dry with high acidity and a delicate mousse. A medium + flavour, and a medium + finish, this is a very good sparkling, and one of their most popular offerings.

Milton 2023 Pinot Gris

I was looking forward to tasting this wine as I had read some very good reviews of it. It was pale lemon in colour with aromas of pear, apple, quince and some butter. On the palate, these same notes are repeated, with a pronounced quince and brioche flavour. It is lees stirred and aged for 4 months. Dry, medium + acidity, with a pronounced flavour and a pronounced finish. An outstanding Pinot Gris.

Milton 2024 Chardonnay

Not usually a fan of Chardonnay, but this one was yummy. Pale lemon in colour. Aromas of lemon, lime and peach. On the palate, it is dry, with medium acidity, with flavours of peach, blossom, brioche and toast. This wine is aged for 8 months on lees. A very good chardonnay.

Milton 2024 Gewurztraminer

A medium yellow coloured white wine. Aromas of lemon, grapefruit and some muskiness. On the palate the same along with some rose. A dry, crisp wine, it actually didn’t really come across as a gewurtraminer. The flavour was medium, and the finish was medium minus. It was good.

Milton Vineyard 2023 Pinot Noir

This pinot noir was a medium garnet in colour, with aroma of dirt, blackcurrant and pepper. On the palate were similar notes but a bit less clear – a bit muddy. Dry, medium tannins, medium acidity, medium minus flavour and medium finish. An acceptable pinot noir.

Milton 2023 Dunbabin Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2023

A medium garnet red wine. Aromas of black cherry and raspberry along with some spiciness. On the palate the fruit is still evident. Dry, with balanced acidity and medium tannins. The flavour was medium, and the finish was medium. This good pinot noir would benefit from some aging.

Milton 2023 Syrah 

A deep ruby red wine with aromas of white pepper, bramble berry and raspberry. On the palate, the white pepper is more pronounced along with some bitterness likely from bramble berry, blackcurrant notes. Dry, medium tannins, with some medium plus acidity. Medium minus flavour (due to the bitterness) and medium finish. Overall, an acceptable wine.

Milton Vineyard Summary

Milton Vineyards excels with their whites. In particular, their sparkling and their pinot gris are very good offerings. Their reds seem to lack some of the clarity and fruit flavour that one would anticipate with both pinot noirs and syrahs.

For more of our wine tastings, click on the link!

Enjoy –