Bob McDonald

9.4

The colour is becoming more tawny since my last tasting in 2023. Lovely aromatics of red fruits and Sous Bois. Manages to combine the characteristics of both Tasmania’s Coal River Valley Pinot Noir and Steve Flamsteed’s excellent winemaking (ex Giant Steps Yarra Valley). I have previous Delectable notes on this wine. Sweet red cherry. Fleshy and supple. This wine scooped the pool at the 2019 Royal Queensland Wine Awards winning Best Pinot Noir of Show; Best Red Table Wine; Best Single Vineyard Red and Grand Champion Wine of Show. Since the acquisition of Giant Steps by the Jackson Family I’m not sure that the Nocton Vineyard is still made? Postscript: Research on line indicates that no vintage of Nocton was made after this one in 2018. — 4 hours ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

My 2nd last 2018 Pooley Pinot Noir. Pale Ruby in colour, tawny shades almost transparent. The colour appears to have become paler with age - a characteristic I haven’t seen before. On the palate evidence of whole bunch in the ferment - herbal, stalky amid the red fruits. The pale colour belies the palate intensity. Coal River is becoming part of Tasmanian Pinot Royalty. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous notes - sadly my last bottle of the 2013. A wonderful Pinot Noir. Along with the red fruits and lovely perfume a distinctly earthy note. The medium bodied palate is polished, fine and long. Owned and made by Shaw + Smith who are based in the Adelaide Hills and transport the grapes from this exceptional terroir in the Coal River Tasmania in refrigerated containers to be vinified in the Adelaide Hills. Quite a daunting exercise but on the evidence of this wine - an absolute triumph. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Top flight Tasmanian Chardonnay from Tolpuddle in the Coal River made and owned by Shaw and Smith. A logistical challenge shipping the grapes from Tasmania to the Adelaide Hills in refrigerated containers to Shaw and Smith HQ where the grapes are crushed and vinified. Initially the wine is lean when tasting - perhaps a little young. Lemon and grapefruit fruit notes and barrel ferment characters with a 10 year life ahead. My first of 3. The next in 3 to 5 years by which time I expect more stone fruit textures to be apparent. 98 points from Huon Hooke. — 13 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous note for this 2017 vintage 143 weeks ago. An impressive Coal River Pinot from Tasmania. Still showing those aromatic red fruits on this very pretty nose. Just the right amount of whole bunch used in the ferment. Pooley Pinot should be an annual purchase. — 7 months ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

Light ruby dress. Red fruits, cranberry, cherry. Alcohol 12 abv. Slightly smoked, mineral, undergrowth, coal. Sweet spices, cloves, black cardamom, cola. A PN that transcribes with purity and simplicity an altitude terroir with chalky basements expressing itself here in the form of a lively and sharp acidity with many facets, recalling in some aspects the Pinots-Noirs of Alsace. Simple, sincere, nuanced profile type "old world" very good quality/price ratio. To drink a little refreshed.

Robe rubis légère. Fruits rouges, canneberge, cerise. Alcool 12o. Légèrement fumé, minéral, sous-bois, charbon. Épices douces, girofle, cardamome noire, cola. Un PN qui transcrit avec pureté et simplicité un terroir d’altitude aux sous-sols crayeux s’exprimant ici sous la forme d’une acidité vive et tranchante aux multiples facettes, rappelant par certains aspects les Pinots-Noirs d’Alsace. Simple, sincère, profil nuancé type “ancien monde” très bon rapport qualité/prix. À boire un peu rafraîchi. — 3 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.4

Consistently exceptional
You truly need a bottle of this wine at reach always.
Easy drinking, but also deep
This is telling me that Tasmanian Pinot can definitely be considered super seriously at a world level. They have set a style and the bar is quite high. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Aromas of red and black fruits, violets and mulchy Sous Bois. Coal River Valley - close to the Vosne Romanee of Tasmania IMO. Sweet, savoury and intense - more raspberry and black cherry than beetroot. Easy to like - see previous note about a year ago. Had another bottle 20 weeks later on 11th November 2023 with similar tasting notes. Had my last bottle in late December 2024 with consistent notes. An excellent Tasmanian Pinot Noir. — 2 years ago

Michael Malpiedi

9.1

I’m still learning about this - but this bottle seems like it needs more time. High acid and bold tannins. Whispers of sour cherry and coal at the finish. — 3 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.4

Color of tea. Nose of smoke, peat, sweet dates, spicy and strong alcohol, and more coal like peat. The nose is powerful. Taste is another hit of smoky peat. First sip is dry, however the sweetness surfaces later. Hidden note of marginal sweet apple. Aftertaste shows some baked apple and more smoky peat note. Clean, powerful, straightforward, and tasty. — 4 years ago