2022 Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir
  • 96
  • 95
  • 94

2022 Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir

Tasmania, AUSTRALIA
$99. 99
Bottle
$1199.88 Dozen
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Stelvin

Tolpuddle Vineyard was established in 1988 in the Coal River Valley between Hobart and the town of Richmond. Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW purchased the vineyard in 2011 and are fully committed to seeing Tolpuddle Vineyard recognised as one of Australia’s great single vineyards.
The cool climate here is at the extremes for viticulture in Australia, perfect for producing ultra-premium Chardonnay & Pinot Noir. Contrary to most cool climates, the Coal River doesn’t receive much rainfall, allowing the grapes to mature slowly throughout Autumn, without the disease pressure that heavy rainfall can bring. The vineyard is planted on a gentle north-east facing slope, which is composed of moderate vigour silica-soil, which results in well-balanced vines producing grapes of great flavour and intensity. 2022 was the coldest vintage the winery experienced in more than a decade. The cool conditions, especially at flowering, resulted in low yields, delivering wines with concentrated flavours and great natural acidity.

Other Reviews....
Tolpuddle has firmly cemented its position at the pointy end of the Tasmanian pinot noir pyramid, consistently producing knockout wines that have become a benchmark for the region. Nothing changes with the 2022 release, which shows wonderful fruit intensity and oodles of pinosity in a graceful package. Lovely pure dark cherry and wild strawberry fruits, cut with exotic spice, charcuterie, roasting game, shiitake broth, amaro herbs, purple floral tones and complex forest floor notes. Textural and elegant yet with an undercurrent of latent power and intensity,a tight tannin frame and a long finish that shows balance and poise. Just wonderful stuff. Drink 2024 - 2038.
96 Points
Dave Brookes - Halliday's Australian Wine Companion

Very good Tassie pinot. Root spice and earthy forestry notes of dried porcini dashi, autumnal leaves and loganberry, set in relief against a swathe of darker cherry. The spiky whole bunch inclusion is evident across the finish reeling off a whiff of dill and mezcal, yet it is largely buried by the extract and density. This should age very well, as the record at this address attests. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
95 Points
Ned Goodwin MW - JamesSuckling.com

There’s a fair few primo 2022 pinots from Tasmania out there that seem kind of bony and firm, and this joins the ranks. Structure and seriousness aren’t missed in the wines, but a sense that 2022, from all over the vast Tasmania GI, are a restrained lot. With some air time, this wine opened with some prettiness, so a decant or airtime is ideal.
A racy pinot noir, tense with a sheath of graphite-laced tannin, set to cedary, mahogany oak seasoning as a strong currency, and laced with dark cherry, panforte, hazelnut and twiggy herbs, with a gentle smoky spice element in tow. It drives with its frisky acidity, a feature that keeps the wine refreshing and edgy, reminiscent of wines to be drunk a while down the trail. I liked the wine more with time spent with it, evolving attractively and offering more perfume and flavour as the hours went by. Serious stuff here, for those seeking pinot of firmness and architecture. Drink 2025 - 2035+
94+ Points
Mike Bennie - The Wine Front