Found just outside Hobart, Lowestoft is an winemaking success story we've been loving to watch unfold! Headed by Kiwi born winemaker Liam McElhinney, who lends his previous experience in France, Canada and America, as well as cool-climate aptitude gained from his time in Marlborough to these close-planted Tasmanian vines planted back in 1986. The sheer growth in their exposure and acclaim since Liam took the reins just before COVID has been extraordinary, with a now famous Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy win last year for their 'La Maison' Pinot Noir (arguably the most sought-after prize in the Australian winemaking industry!) as well as a recent Best in Show Trophy at Decanter's World Wine Awards for their 'Jacoben' Pinot. Backed up by the viticultural expertise from John Fogarty, who oversees the planting at not only Lowestoft, but other great names like Deep Woods and Lake's Folly, this is a power partnership to keep a close eye on.
Our team was delighted, to put it mildly, when we were shown this following lineup early last week, and we knew we had to have them on tasting this Saturday (24th August). There is classic Tasmanian elegance and complexity across the range, with Chardonnays that both whisper with clarity and soft fruit finesse, and cheer with midpalate bold tension and waves of cream and oak. The range of Pinots are simply unmissable, as all their recent high-scores and accolades would suggest! They push purity and pillowy tannins across the palate, and manage some savoury umami characteristics better than nearly any new-world Pinots we've come across recently... We hope you can make it Saturday, as we pour 12 to 2pm!
Also lining our table come Friday (23rd) will be an impressive collection of whiskies from Suntory, including beloved expressions like Hibiki Harmony, Hakushu and Yamazaki. This one seemed like as perfect a finish to the week, and will be running 4 to 6pm! All whiskies will be down on special on the night, too.
Lowestoft - New Release Specials & Tasting
Saturday 24th August
12 to 2pm
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Estate Chardonnay 2021-
$59 on special this week; $67 RRP
"33% Coal Valley, 33% East Coast, 33% Tasman Peninsula. Showing the best of each vineyard, this wine has lifted citrus, lemon balm, nougat and oyster shell aromatics. Briney acidity threads together an array of white stone fruit, brioche and lime zest." – Liam McElhinney, Head Winemaker
"Tamar Valley/Coal River Valley/Tasman Peninsula-sourced chardonnay; matured in large format French oak for 10 months. An immediate wash of mealy lemon, grapefruit, white peach and nectarine fruit notes along with hints of fine spice, white flowers, flint, crushed river stone, nougat, oyster shell and sexy French oak. There is a swirl of struck-match complexity in the mix, and the wine presents an expansive palate with plenty of clarity, tension and complexity. A long, dreamy finish, too." - 95 points. Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Estate Pinot Noir 2021 - $59 on special this week; $67 RRP
"The 2021 Estate Pinot Noir is one of the more powerful Lowestoft Pinot Noirs to date. The low cropping 2021 vintage provided grapes of immense concentration and phenolic ripeness. Exotic aromas of sandalwood, amaro, anise and cranberry evolve in the glass. The palate is supple and lithe with cherry, damson plum and rosehip woven seamlessly together by the finest thread of mineral acidity that has become the hallmark of our finest Pinot Noirs." – Liam McElhinney, Head Winemaker
"A bright, complex pinot noir sourced from a number of vineyards, predominately the Lowestoft site overlooking the Derwent River. Pure red and dark cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry fruits with hints of Chinese barbecue shop, five-spice, teacake, mushroom, purple floral and subtle leaf litter tones. There is a nice sense of space and clarity in this wine, fine acidity providing the pulse and a sustained red-fruited finish studded with game, amaro and spice." - 95 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
'La Meilleure' Chardonnay 2021- Available for $105
(Very Limited Availability!)
"La Meilleure is a blend of fruit from the Coal River Valley, Tasman Peninsula, East Coast and a touch of Tamar Valley in the North. Other than being situated in Tasmania, these regions have nothing in common from a viticulture perspective. Coal Valley is black cracking clays over limestone and deep dolerite clays. The fruit is very powerful and expressive. Tasman Peninsula is where the penguins like to hang out… it’s cold, windy, salty, producing fruit with tension and laser like acidity. East Coast fruit can be very powerful if left to hang to “optimum ripeness”. We tend to pick earlier for the best results. Quite a lot of the lovely struck match/mineral sulphide in this wine comes from the East Coast portion. The sprinkling of Tamar Valley fruit in this wine is from one of our best sparkling blocks. It had a lovely pithy oyster shell character that we thought worked well in the blend. The fruit sourcing is 45% Coal River Valley, 25% Tasman Peninsula, 25% East Coast and 5% Tamar Valley." - Liam McElhinney, Head Winemaker
"Pale straw in the glass with aromas of white peach, nectarine and grapefruit with a nice match/sulphide nuance and hints of soft spice, oatmeal, white flowers, nougat, lemon curd and clotted cream. There is impressive detail, clarity and composition here with a long, wonderfully expressive pure flow across the palate on rails of mineral and stone. A picture of tension and release. Beautiful drinking." - 97 Points, David Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
'Jacoben' Pinot Noir 2022 - Available for $105
(Very Limited Availability!)
"The Jacoben vineyard is somewhat of an anomaly – it is a very special vineyard and at 0.5 hectares, it’s a tiny parcel of land planted solely to Pinot Noir. Every year we are fortunate to have another opportunity to capture its remarkable purity and depth of flavour. This wine has always spoken very clearly of its place; it’s always brooding, yet exceptionally pure in its fruit expression. Situated on a south-facing slope along the lower Derwent River, in the coolest part of a warm sub-region, this vineyard imparts the rare and elusive combination of power and finesse." – Liam McElhinney, Head Winemaker
"Virtuoso work from a Pinot region of extraordinary promise." - 97 points, Best In Show, Decanter World Wine Awards 2024
"Single-vineyard pinot noir from the Lower Derwent Valley. Vibrant ruby with aromas of exotically-spiced red cherry, raspberry and red plum fruits. Hints of dried mountain herbs, citrus blossom, char siu, sandalwood, dried cranberry, amaro, undergrowth and Peking duck. Lithe and sapid on the palate with a touch of sour cherry, pillowy tannins and a spicy, complex finish that flows on for a pleasing amount of time." - 95 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
'Woodlands' Pinot Noir 2021 - Available for $105
(Very Limited Availability!)
"A ripe core of raspberry and crimson cherry fruit, prelude floral violet perfume and subtle cinnamon. Luminous spice covers a dense core of fruit, with supple, velvety tannin providing length and finesse." – Liam McElhinney, Head Winemaker
"Pinot Noir sourced from the Woodlands vineyard in the Coal River Valley. Bright cherry fruit studded with spice, pomegranate, pressed flowers, cranberry, mountain herbs and subtle undergrowth at the core. There is a pleasing depth to the dark cherry and wild strawberry fruits with fine powdery tannins, a bright mineral-laden line and a composed, savoury swish of the tail on the exit." - 95 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
'La Maison' Pinot Noir 2022-Available for $135
(Very Limited Availability!)
// Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy Winner - 2023 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards
"Intensely perfumed dark cherry, black tea, dried sage and amaro aromas. Seductive red fruits envelope a tightly woven line of graphite and bergamot tea, with lingering dried herbs, orange peel, and cherry fruit. Elegant whole bunch tannin and oak spice linger on the palate, with vibrant acidity exuding class and poise." – Liam McElhinney, Head Winemaker
Suntory Whisky Tasting
Friday 23rd August
4 to 6pm
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What's on show -
Toki Blended Whisky
Hakushu Distiller's Reserve
Hakushu 12 Year Old
Hibiki Harmony
Yamazaki 12 Year Old
(All whiskies will be on special discounts on the night!)
If you wish to buy any of these wines, please use the links above ? Alternatively, email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any questions
// Prices valid until Wednesday the 28th of August