2025 Apogee Alto Pinot Noir $75
With more than 30 years of industry innovation and leadership to his credit, Pipers Brook Vineyard founder Dr Andrew Pirie moved to Lebrina in 2007 to establish his 2ha Apogee Vineyard. Less than a kilometre from the renowned Clover Hill Vineyard, the site produces traditional method sparkling wine as well as small volumes of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir table wine under the Alto label.
Pirie's rigorous, scientific approach to viticulture includes operating a sophisticated weather station that not only records temperature and rainfall but also keeps track of canopy temperature; solar radiation and UV levels; relative humidity; leaf wetness; wind speed and wind direction.
All that noted, the good doctor is still unsure about what makes a great wine vintage.
This new release of Alto Pinot Noir must surely come close to being Pirie's best. The wine was poured alongside the excellent 2024 at the 13th Tasmanian Pinot Showcase – held at The Pinot Shop, Launceston, on 25 July 2026 – and was my preferred style on the day.
It's the product of the warmest growing season on the Golconda Road property since 2010. The wine was brought to life in the winery after one of the vineyard's driest autumns.
These Apogee wines always come with a good deal of pizazz and elegance. The 2025 has just a little more intensity and finesse than the 2024, though it's by no means a shrinking violet. The red fruit flavours here are juicy and ripe, and well supported by perfectly judged natural acidity and finely polished tannins.
The wine is already round and nicely weighted, though history shows these carefully crafted Pinots continue to develop well in a cool, dark hiding place.
A quick look at the label reveals it's a generous 13.5 percent on the naughtiness scale. The thing is, the wine is deliciously savoury and complements the dining experience rather than contributing to palate fatigue.
The price listed here is just a guide for the moment. The wine will make its way onto the Apogee Tasmania website very shortly.
Guided cellar door tastings of four Apogee wines along with hors d'oeuvres can be arranged via the website. The vineyard is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Source: 13th Tasmanian Pinot Showcase, held at The Pinot Shop, Launceston, on 25 July 2026
Last page update: 31 July 2026