Tamar Ridge will shortly become one of the larger Tasmanian wine operations. Owned by Josef Chromy, the former proprietor of Heemskerk, Jansz and Rochecombe, its wines are made by the highly experienced Julian Alcorso, whose family established and owned Moorilla Estate and where he worked for more than 25 vintages. Located in the West Tamar, it presently has 39 ha under vine and will expanded to 55 ha next year. Tamar Ridge will market its wines under a three-tiered hierarchy of brands, of which the Josef Chromy label sits atop the Tamar Ridge wines, which in turn fit above the Devil’s Corner label. The initial release of Tamar Ridge wines includes a Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, each of which is from the 1998 vintage and is priced at or just below $20. The best of the wines is the Pinot Noir, a lightly stalky wine with some attractive ripe and dried fruit characters. The Chardonnay clearly reflects its young vine origins, with a herbal and steely edge to its tropical melon fruit, while the Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc both lack a little weight and richness. I would expect much more once Alcorso gets mature vines at his disposal.
