Check out the new Caledon Estate Vineyard!

On our Tassie wine adventures, we started our second full day visiting a few local wineries.  Caledon Estate Vineyard is a recent opening our local friends recommended, and we were eager to give it a try.  This blog post is covers our experience at the Caledon Estate Vineyard.

Background:

Currently 1500 hectares of land in Tasmania are under vine with the majority being white 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 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 the southern ocean. 

Caledon Estate Vineyard:

Located in the Coal River Valley in beautiful Tasmania, this winery has seized a great opportunity.  With the support of neighboring and regional wineries, they have recently opened to much acclaim. Offering six grape varietals making nine different wines, the focus is crisp whites and pinot noirs with depth.  They are a single site vineyard, and their wines are made by the team at Spring Vale Vineyards also located on the east coast.

Caledon Estate Vineyard: The Tastings:

Pinot Gris 2023

Fresh, bright and crisp white wine.  Aromas of apple, pear and lemon.  Balanced high acidity, and the palate reflects the aromas with tastes of apple, pear, and lemon.  Six months on the lees gives it medium + complexity and great mouth feel.  The wine has a medium + finish.  Very good wine which is ready to drink now but could be aged.

Sauvignon Blanc 2023

A bold pale gold white wine. Aromas and palate of lychee, lime, melon, and orange.  Grassy undertones.  High acidity balances the fruity palate, and the relatively high alcohol (13.3 abv) is tempered by it.  Uniquely, the production includes some minimal skin time, and  6 months on the lees.  The wine has a medium + finish.  Very good wine – drink it all up!

Riesling 2023

This is a dry white wine with pale lemon appearance. Aroma is pear, apple, citrus and some very light jasmine.  On the palate, the citrus is in the forefront along with some good acidity to balance the fruit and aromatics.  Finish is medium. A solid refreshing white wine.

Chardonnay 2022

Along with the Pinot Gris, this was a real eye opener.  This is their 1st vintage of Chardonnay.  A late harvest, the fruit leans tropical.  Aromatics of lemon, peach and melon.  On the palate, these same flavours were supported with lemon and lime.  20% of the barrel has nine months in french oak, giving the wine a lovely complexity and full mouth feel.  Finish is medium +. A very good Chardonnay, ready to drink now but could easily age.

Rose 2023

Wow.  This pinot noir rose was very good. Dry with strawberry and raspberry aromas and palate, it was complimented by a crisp acidity. The 3 hour contact of skin gave it a lovely salmon blush.  Smooth, with a great mouth feel, a wonderful wine to enjoy in the sun on the terrace!

Pinot Noir 2023

This pinot is a definite early drinking dream.  Aromas and palate notes of red cherry, red currant.  Complimented by the rich forest floor notes of mushrooms from the 6 years in old oak.  The 13.9% abv is well balanced by the fruit making the finish rich and velvety.  A very good pinot that could age.

Pinot Noir 2022

As with most aging wine, what you taste and the value of what you taste depends on your own particular preferences.  This slightly older pinot has clear notes of red berries with some lovely toast and brioche notes.  14 days longer on the vine provides a bid more depth.  25% is aged in new french oak for 10 months.  Definitely a more complex and smooth pinot,  revealing a bit more depth as the fruit dissipates with this additional aging.

Caledon Estate Vineyard: Summary

So very happy we were able to visit this newly opened vineyard in the Coal River Valley on the East Coast of Tasmania.  Beautifully modern, with an airy and fresh take on the wine tasting experience we were pleasantly impressed by it.  Professional, warm and friendly, many cellar doors could learn from this establishments approach.  

Very much recommend Caledon Estate Vineyard!

For more wine recommendations, please check them out here.  For more travel recommendations, check them out here.

Enjoy!