2023 Flyleaf Pinot Noir $40
Flyleaf wines are created by the team at Delamere Vineyards. Owners Shane Holloway and Fran Austin are among Tasmania's most experienced – and talented – winemakers. They've worked together for more than two decades, starting out in Tasmania at Bay of Fires Winery, where the company they worked for during those early years drew on vineyard resources from across the State.
What this couple doesn't know about Tasmanian Pinot Noir isn't worth knowing.
Their Flyleaf collection of table wines were first created back in 2021 and are intended to be ready for immediate drinking on release. They represent the fresh, vibrant, easily accessible side of Tasmanian winemaking.
Why the name?
"Flyleaf provides us with a blank page to explore alternative sites and methods. For us as winemakers, it's like the start a new story. Something fresh and exciting and creative."
The current Flyleaf range of four wines comprises Rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.
This 2023 wine was produced from Pinot Noir handpicked from Delamere's recent new plantings, together with a parcel of fruit purchased from a small, family-owned vineyard in the West Tamar.
It displays plenty of lively, upfront characters, with ripe cherry and raspberry notes backed by more elusive elements that suggest wild strawberries or strawberry liqueur. (Not an actual addition of liqueur but something with a similar level of richness and flavour.)
The wine's fine structure allows it to drink very well indeed right now, making it an ideal drop to add to the picnic basket as we move into the silly season and (hopefully) the endless days of summer and autumn in Tasmania.
Source: Retail purchase. Delamere Winemaker Dinner, Astor Grill (Hobart) on 26 November 2024.
Disclosure: Mark and Lee Smith were fee-paying, ticketed guests at the event, which was organised by the Budburst Wine Collective.
Last page update: 30 January 2025