2015 Arras Grand Vintage

A sculptured, toasty style of Sparkling finishing very dry, tense and minerally.

A frothy mousse dissipates to reveal a pale straw coloured base that has pale gold tinged edges and a nimble stream of bubbles rising to the surface. Springing from the glass are aromas of pear, citrus and oily toast like notes followed by whiffs of lemon butter, lees and roasted almond. Sculptured by crisp, chalk tinged acidity, the palate features mouth filling flavours of baked pear, citrus, yeast lees and oily toast like characters over traces of lemon butter and roasted almond. Finishes very dry with a tense, minerally finish.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 13%

Other Reviews…..
I like the nose. Beef stock and porcini. Earthenware. Grounded. Then, ginger and orange marmalade with some peony and redcurrant crunching beyond. This is another richly flavored fizz, dense, full and playing the aldehydic card of toast and creaminess with a stacked deck of complexities. Yet the aura is less obvious and more savory. What I really like about this is the complete, mineral-clad filigreed finish. A superlative Tasmanian fizz. Drink or hold.
96 points
JamesSuckling.com

The new release of the Grand Vintage sees a blend of 66.7/33.8% chardonnay/pinot noir sourced from the East Coast, Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley and Pipers River. On tirage seven years, dosage 2.6 g/L. Medium straw in the glass with an über-fine bead and energetic mousse. Aromas of juicy white peach, green apple, pithy grapefruit and pear cut with hints of soft spice, grilled nuts, fresh brioche, dried honey, orange blossom and stone. There are some umami notes on the palate – a gentle ache is all, but its presence is felt nevertheless. Notes of sea spray, honeycomb and fresh pastries swell on the mid-palate and the finish is long and true with tight acidity, impressive tension and a wash of biscuity tones on the exit. Drink by 2033.
96 points
Dave Brookes – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion