Maison L’Envoye Tasmania Pinot Noir

"The pristine island state of Tasmania is situated off Australia’s southern coast, at approximately the same latitude as New Zealand’s famous Marlborough and Martinborough wine regions. Its cool climate is ideal for sparkling wine but also for still Pinot Gris, Riesling and, especially, Pinot Noir. Pinot has a well-established home here, thanks to its role in sparkling wine production, which has been the key viticultural driver in Tasmania for the last three decades. Even though Pinot Noir is generally planted in relatively warm sites, this is genuinely cool-climate viticulture. There is literally nothing between southern Tasmania and Antarctica. The cool climate means wine producers face risky conditions during the growing season and vintages can vary dramatically. In the state’s north, near Launceston, is the Tamar Valley. This is a warmer and more moderate inland climate tempered by the Tamar River, with basalt and clay soils with good friability excellently suited for Pinot Noir. This is a delicate and fragrant style of Pinot with distinct characters of red apple, cranberry, nutmeg, and earth notes. The judicious use of oak works to this wine’s advantage by imparting a nice mouthfeel against the generous, supple palate."