2024 Stargazer Palisander Riesling

Founded by winemaker Samantha Connew, Stargazer has become one of Tasmania's most compelling small producers, crafting wines of precision and quiet intensity from the Coal River and Derwent Valleys. Whether Riesling, Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, each release reflects a meticulous, hands-off approach and a focus on texture, energy and site expression. For many, Stargazer marks the sweet spot between refinement and individuality in modern Tasmanian wine.

This wine comes exclusively from Stargazer's own vineyards in the Tea Tree sub-region of the Coal River Valley, where the vines were planted in 2002. The soil here is clay loam with a high calcium content, which results in thicker grape skins and more flavor. The fruit is handpicked, destemmed, and left on the skins for 12 hours before gentle pressing. The juice is wild fermented in ceramic and concrete egg-shaped containers where it is left to age on lees for a further 10 months.

Other Reviews....
The 2024 Palisander Riesling hails from the Palisander vineyard in the Coal River Valley. The fruit was left on its skins for 12 hours prior to a wild ferment over six weeks in ceramic (60% of the blend) and concrete eggs (the balance) and then left on the lees for 10 months. Aromatically, it leads with candle wax and brine, hessian and straw. In the mouth, the wine is textural and wide, with the impact of the time on its lees wholly evident. This is chewy and full of flavor, with bright acidity (a pH of 3.19 and six grams per liter of acidity) that is mitigated by 0.5 grams per liter of acidity of residual sugar left in the wine. This is sophisticated and sleek, with eminent polish and drive. It's very good. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2026-2036.
94 points
Erin Larkin - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Riesling sourced from the Palisander vineyard in Tea Tree in the Coal River Valley and made by Samantha Connew. Pale straw with aromas of green apple, lime and grapefruit with hints of flint, clover blossom, wildflowers, distant crushed herbs, cold chamomile tea, crushed stone, sea spray and ozone. There is just a touch of texture on the palate, which shows a focused mineral line and excellent tension between the inherent citrus and apple fruit tones and the chalky mineral cadence. Lovely stuff; crisp, composed drinking. Drink 2025-2035.
95 points
Dave Brookes - James Halliday's Wine Companion