Low-profile Tasmanian winery offers good value

 

Making wines in Tasmania's cool climate is both risky and expensive. 

That's why you'll see cult Tasmanian drops selling for $30-40 a glass in Melbourne and Sydney wine bars, but rarely find a decent bottle of Tasmanian pinot noir or chardonnay for under $30-40 a bottle in your local wine store. 

The simple fact is that Tasmanian wine is a premium product that usually fetches premium prices. 

That's why the name Chartley Estate - owned by Peter and Loraine Kossmann -should be on the radar of wine lovers with ambitious tastes but tight budgets. 

The labels are low key (pretty dull, actually) and the marketing close to non existent, but the Chartley wines from the West Tamar in the north of the state do offer good value for money. 

The secret is healthy high-cropping - for Tasmania - vineyards that are managed personally by Loraine Kossmann. 

Their wholesalers at Red+White/Mezzanine recently sent me their current releases to take a look at the range. 

The best-seller is the delightful 2024 Pinot Gris, but the 2023 Riesling, 2024 Sauvignon Blanc and 2023 Chardonnay are all well-made and immediately enjoyable, as is the savoury 2021 Pinot Noir. Value with a capital V here. 

All the white table wines retail for between $25 and $35.  The brisk savvy B, they stylish chardonnay and the pinot noir were my personal favourites. 

There are also two sparkling wines on offer: the 2021 Lavinia and 2020 Sparkling Rosé, made by Jeremy Dineen that offers appealing strawberry notes. 

The still wines are crafted by consultant winemaker Peter Dredge, one of the Apple Isle's star winemakers, who adds his own sprinkle of stardust.   

 For more details see https://chartleyestatevineyard.com.au/