Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022

Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW (Shaw & Smith) purchased the vineyard in 2011 after a look-and-see jaunt to Tasmania when they became smitten by Tolpuddle's Coal Valley location and mature vines, planted only to pinot noir and chardonnay. They are fully committed to seeing Tolpuddle Vineyard recognised as one of Australia's great single vineyards. 

"The palate is voluptuously full and rich, decadently flavoured, with luxurious flesh and fruit, abundant fine/soft tannins and terrific length. There are some whole-bunch nuances which are beautifully incorporated into the wide array of flavours. A totally convincing and thoroughly impressive Aussie pinot noir to compare with the best in the world."  Huon Hooke

In barely a decade, Tolpuddle has established itself as one of the country's top producers. It produces wines of blistering precision and finesse which have received rave critical acclaim. They are highly sought-after and are some of the finest examples of chardonnay and pinot noir that can be found anywhere on the Apple Isle.

"If ever a new winery was born with blue blood in its veins, Tolpuddle would have to be it."  James Halliday

"A very strong year for Pinot Noir at Tolpuddle. There is complexity and power, balanced by pure fruit notes and cool season spice. It shows powerful fruit, with ripe red cherry, smoked meat, and olive notes, framed by fine but firm tannins. Great length of flavour.  An exciting vintage. The grapes were all hand-picked and fermented as a combination of whole berries and whole bunches, in open fermenters, with gentle pump-overs and plunging. The wine was aged in French oak for ten months, of which about one third was new."  Tolpuddle

Expert reviews

"Impressively deep, rich purple-red colour, unusual in Australian pinot noir. The bouquet is loaded with black cherry, blackberry and spice aromas, a hint of smoky oak adding charcuterie and fivespice nuances, while the palate is voluptuously full and rich, decadently flavoured, with luxurious flesh and fruit, abundant fine/soft tannins and terrific length. There are some whole-bunch nuances which are beautifully incorporated into the wide array of flavours. A totally convincing and thoroughly impressive Aussie pinot noir to compare with the best in the world. Drink 2023-2040."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 98 points

"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 by 2038."  Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion - 96 points

"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."  Ned Goodwin MW, JamesSuckling.com - 95 points

"Perhaps one of the most generously aromatic vintages is the 2022 incarnation of Tolpuddle. Boysenberry, black cherry and red figs with a plethora of ground spices and earthernware. Nutmeg, cumin and cassia bark then opens up to terracotta, moulding clay and quartz. A touch of Hibiscus and dried thyme and kalamata olives. The wine settles into its silty tannins and poignant acidity. There is a real sense of restraint to the oak with natural grape tannins shining through. It’s got everything for the long haul and the coolness of vintage shows in its fine lines and length. Drinking well now and will cellar for up to 8 years. Serve with chestnut and mushroom risotto. Drink: 2023-2031."  Shanteh Wale, The Wine Front - 95 points

"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+."  Mike Bennie, The Wine Front - 94+ points 

About the winery

Tolpuddle Vineyard was established in 1988 by Bill Casimaty, Gary Crittenden and Tony Jordan and it took its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs: English convicts transported to Tasmania for forming an agricultural union. The leader of the Martyrs, George Loveless, served some of his sentence working on a property near Richmond, part of which is now Tolpuddle Vineyard. The vineyard is planted with mature Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, facing north-east, and sloping gently up from Back Tea Tree Road. The soil is light silica over sandstone and of moderate vigour, ensuring well-balanced vines producing grapes of great flavour and intensity. 

Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW (Shaw & Smith) purchased the vineyard in 2011 after a look-and-see jaunt to Tasmania when they became smitten by Tolpuddle's Coal Valley location and mature vines, planted only to pinot noir and chardonnay. They are fully committed to seeing Tolpuddle Vineyard recognised as one of Australia's great single vineyards. 

In barely a decade, Tolpuddle has established itself as one of the country's top producers. It produces wines of blistering precision and finesse which have received rave critical acclaim. They are highly sought-after and are some of the finest examples of chardonnay and pinot noir that can be found anywhere on the Apple Isle.