Winner 2023 Halliday Wine Companion Winery of the Year
“Tucked into a bend of the meandering Coal River, there is a deep spirit about the quaint Cooinda Vale vineyard, still the source of Pooley’s finest wines. To winemaker Anna Pooley, sense of place is everything, “for this is where the heart and soul of wine exists.” It is the eloquent articulation of the native Tasmanian spirit of the rugged and beautiful landscapes of their Cooinda Vale and Butcher’s Hill vineyards that has elevated Pooley Wines to the pinnacle of Australian pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling…”
Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion
About
Pooley Wines was established in 1985 when the late Denis and Margaret Pooley planted ten rows of Riesling and seven rows of Pinot Noir on their 16-hectare farm at Cooinda Vale in the Coal River Valley in southern Tasmania, and then a further second vineyard in the Coal River Valley at Richmond. Margaret Pooley remained the chief executive of Cooinda Vale Vineyard until well into her nineties. She was a hardy Scot and could be found tending vines during the coldest Tasmanian winters.
In 2003, John Pooley, son of Denis and Margaret, and his wife Libby bought Belmont, a heritage-listed Georgian home on the outskirts of Richmond. They have been lovingly renovating this second Pooley Wines Coal River Valley property, and have planted vines on nearby Butchers Hill. In 2007 the first vintage of Pinot was produced. The cellar door is housed in old sandstone stables on the Belmont property.
All the vines are tended by Matt Pooley and wines made by his sibling Anna Pooley and husband Justin Bubb.
Single Vineyard Release
2022 Butcher's Hill Chardonnay
Varietal/s: Chardonnay
Alcohol: 13.0%
GI: Tasmania, Australia
TA: 8.62 g/L
PH: 3.16
Clone/s: P56, P76 and I10V1
Yield: 4.0 T/Ha
Baume: 12.0
Harvest Date: 26th March 2022
Bottle Date: 18/01/2023
Production: 3324 Bottles
Vinification: Hand-picked, Whole-bunch pressed to tank then racked to barrel. Barrel fermented (wild) for 20 days. 8 months maturation in 25% new French oak barriques (Sirugue, 36 month seasoned, Medium Toast, Fine Grain) with minimal lees stirring. 20% malolactic fermentation.
Vineyard:
Location: Butcher’s Hill, Richmond
Appellation: Coal River Valley
Established: 2003
Elevation: 30m-100m
Soil Type: Dolerite & self-mulching black vertosols over sandstone
Aspect: North Facing
Size: 6ha under vine
Growing Season: The lead-up to 2022 vintage included one of the wettest winters on record, a cool drying spring into summer with high humidity. All these factors led to healthy canopies and bunch numbers. The cool conditions, especially around the time of flowering resulted in some poor fruitset in earlier flowering varieties. This delivered a combination of small and large size berries to form reducing the overall yields and intake in those varieties. The vintage started a couple of days later than usual, but with the high humidity/lowered diurnal range, our late ripening varieties were picked slightly earlier than usual. Overall, a quality vintage.
Tasting Notes: An elegant and refined style of chardonnay that represents the best of its coolclimate character. Aromas of apricot and white nectar with subtle hints of flint and orchard fruits. Lifted lime on the palate joined by chalk minerality and delicate notes of buttered popcorn.
Optimal Drinking: 2023 - 2033 +
2022 Butcher's Hill Pinot Noir
Varietal/s: Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13.7%
GI: Tasmania, Australia
TA: 6.44 g/L
PH: 3.62
Clone/s: 114, 115, 777, MV6
Yield: 3.0 T/Ha
Baume: 12.5 - 13.5
Harvest Date: 20th March to 28th March 2022
Bottle Date: 19/01/2023
Production: 4504 Bottles
Vinification: Hand-picked, 35% whole bunch with 65% destemmed. 10 day fermentation using XR yeast strain followed by 7 day post ferment maceration. Matured in 25% new French oak barriques (Sirugue - fine grain, 36 month seasoning, medium toast) for 11 months.
Vineyard:
Location: Butcher’s Hill, Richmond.
Appellation: Coal River Valley
Established: 2003
Elevation: 30m-100m
Soil Type: Dolerite & self-mulching black vertosols over sandstone
Aspect: North Facing
Size: 6ha under vine
Growing Season: The lead-up to 2022 vintage included one of the wettest winters on record, a cool drying spring into summer with high humidity. All these factors led to healthy canopies and bunch numbers. The cool conditions, especially around the time of flowering resulted in some poor fruitset in earlier flowering varieties. This delivered a combination of small and large size berries to form reducing the overall yields and intake in those varieties. The vintage started a couple of days later than usual, but with the high humidity/lowered diurnal range, our late ripening varieties were picked slightly earlier than usual. Overall, a quality vintage.
Tasting Notes: This wine displays perfumed notes of spiced black cherry, dark fruits and tobacco leaf. Followed by a lovely balance of umami and red fruits underscored by impressions of pepper, macerated cherries, and cured meat. Finely boned tannin makes for a silky-smooth finish, along with a bright line of acidity.
Optimal Drinking: 2023 - 2033+
Estate Release
2022 Riesling
Varietal/s: Riesling
GI: Coal River Valley, Tasmania.
Clone/s: GM198, G110
Yield: 9 T/Ha
Harvest Date: 14th April to 23rd April
Baume: 12
Bottle Date: 8th of October, 2022
Production: 18,480 bottles
Alcohol: 12.5%
PH: 3.05
TA: 8.9 g/L
RS: 3 g/L
Vinification:
Whole-bunch pressed to tank. Inoculated fermentation (TXL strain) in stainless steel. 6 months on fine lees prior to bottling.
Growing Season:
The lead-up to 2022 vintage included one of the wettest winters on record, a cool drying spring into summer with high humidity. All these factors led to healthy canopies and bunch numbers. The cool conditions, especially around the time of flowering resulted in some poor fruitset in earlier flowering varieties. This delivered a combination of small and large size berries to form reducing the overall yields and intake in those varieties. The vintage started a couple of days later than usual, but with the high humidity/lowered diurnal range, our late ripening varieties were picked slightly earlier than usual. Overall, a quality vintage.
Tasting Notes:
A bright and crunchy cool-climate riesling with notes of lime blossom, elderflower, and granny smith apple on the nose. Sweet citrus, grapefruit and lemon myrtle follow on the palate with a nervy acid profile and a textured, lingering finish.
2022 Butcher's Hill Riesling
Varietal/s: Riesling
GI: Coal River Valley, Tasmania.
Clone/s: GM198
Yield: 8.5T/Ha
Harvest Date: 23rd/24th April 2022
Bottle Date: 31st August 2022
Baume: 12.5
Production: 3852 bottles
Alcohol: 13.2%
PH: 3.10
TA: 8.04 g/L
RS: 2 g/L
Vinification:
Whole-bunch pressed to tank. Inoculated fermentation (TXL strain) in stainless steel for 14 days. 5 months maturation on fine lees in 5 year old French oak puncheons.
Viticulture:
Location: Butcher’s Hill, Richmond.
Appellation: Coal River Valley
Established: 2003
Elevation: 30m-100m
Soil Type: Dolerite & self-mulching black vertosols over sandstone
Aspect: North Facing
Size: 6ha under vine
Growing Season:
The lead-up to 2022 vintage included one of the wettest winters on record, a cool drying spring into summer with high humidity. All these factors led to healthy canopies and bunch numbers. The cool conditions, especially around the time of flowering resulted in some poor fruitset in earlier flowering varieties. This delivered a combination of small and large size berries to form reducing the overall yields and intake in those varieties. The vintage started a couple of days later than usual, but with the high humidity/lowered diurnal range, our late ripening varieties were picked slightly earlier than usual. Overall, a quality vintage.
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of citrus blossom, jasmine, and mineral on the nose. Notes of preserved lemon, under-ripened pear and kafir lime follow through on the palate. A slight note of talc, persists with a full mouth-feel and continuous acid.
Cellaring: 15-20 years
2022 Cooinda Vale Reisling
Varietal/s: Riesling
GI: Coal River Valley, Tasmania.
Clone/s: GM198, 2236
Yield: 8.0T/Ha
Harvest Date: 21st April 2022
Bottle Date: 18th August 2022
Baume: 11.5-12
Production: 3888 bottles
Alcohol: 12.03%
PH: 3.05
TA: 9.0 g/L
RS: 5.36 g/L
Vinification:
Whole bunch pressed to stainless steel tank for inoculated ferment (TXL strain) over 15 days. 5 months on fine lees in tank.
Viticulture:
Location: Cooinda Vale, Campania.
Appellation: Coal River Valley
Established: 1985
Elevation: 80m-100m
Soil Type: Sandy loams & sandy clay loam over impervious clay
Aspect: North-East Facing
Size: 6ha under vine
Growing Season:
The lead-up to 2022 vintage included one of the wettest winters on record, a cool drying spring into summer with high humidity. All these factors led to healthy canopies and bunch numbers. The cool conditions, especially around the time of flowering resulted in some poor fruitset in earlier flowering varieties. This delivered a combination of small and large size berries to form reducing the overall yields and intake in those varieties. The vintage started a couple of days later than usual, but with the high humidity/lowered diurnal range, our late ripening varieties were picked slightly earlier than usual. Overall, a quality vintage.
Tasting Notes:
Initially the nose is a little shy with fresh notes of citrus peel and blossom. The palate is typical Cooinda Vale, refined and elegant with lemon sherbet, cumquat and marmalade. Strong acid profile with a persistent finish.
Cellaring: 15+ years
Gabrielle Poy, Real Review
"Delicate notes of spiced nectarines, fennel, crushed rocks and lime zest lead into a taut palate. The core is simmering with energy, fine chewy phenolics add scaffolding to the intense palate. This is seamless and flowing, an extraordinarily youthful riesling. The pedigreed fruit is allowed to shine through, thanks to judicious winemaking."
95 points
The Heritage Range - Black label releases
2022 Margaret Pooley Tribute Riesling
Varietal/s: Riesling
Clone/s: GM239, GM119, CM110
Alcohol: 12.8
GI: Coal River Valley, Southern Tasmania.
Yield: 8.0 T/Ha
TA: 8.0g/L
PH: 2.81
Baume: 12.4
RS: 3.0 g/L
Harvest Date: 9th April 2021
Bottle Date: 12th September 2021
Production: 2780 Bottles
Vinification:
The fruit was hand-picked, chilled to 5 degrees then whole-bunch pressed to tank. Cold settled and racked to stainless steel tank for inoculated ferment (PDM strain) for a total of 14 days. A brief refinement in old French oak puncheons with 5 months on fine lees.
Vineyard:
Location: Cooinda Vale, Campania
Appellation: Coal River Valley
Established: 1985
Elevation: 80m-100m
Soil Type: Sandy loams & sandy clay loam over impervious clay
Aspect: North-East Facing
Size: 6ha under vine
Growing Season:
The season started with consistent spring rainfall that built a solid foundation with strong, healthy canopies and bountiful bunch numbers. Mild conditions continued through to summer with a few days reaching over 25C. The start of Autumn provided glorious sunshine days and cool oceanic evenings hailing the start of veraison. The vacant heat returned shortly thereafter to kickstart what would be a long and late vintage. The fruit was in absolutely no rush to be picked and showed its relaxed appreciation through integrated and balanced phenolic profiles.
Tasting Note:
A deeply scented aroma of honeysuckle, maple, lemon sorbet, and white tulip florals beaming on the nose. Superb tension and purity of fruit, with notes of lime cordial, candied melon, fresh lemonade and green apple skin following through on the palate. Incredibly satiating.
2021 Butcher's Hill 'Oronsay' Pinot Noir
Varietal/s: Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13%
PH: 3.55
TA: 6.07 g/l
Yield: 6.0 tonnes/Hectare
Baume: 12.4
Harvest Date: 28th April, 2021
Clone/s: MV6
Bottle Date: 24th July, 2022
Production: 1500 bottles
Viticulture:
Location: Butcher’s Hill, Richmond.
Appellation: Coal River Valley
Established: 2003
Elevation: 30m-100m
Soil Type: Dolerite & self-mulching black vertosols over sandstone
Aspect: North Facing
Size: 6ha under vine
Vinification:
100% whole bunch fermentation (wild) for 21 days. Pressed to 40% new French oak barriques (50% Cavin / 50% St. Martin, both medium toast, tight-grained) for 14 months.
Growing Season:
The season started with consistent spring rainfall that built a solid foundation with strong, healthy canopies and bountiful bunch numbers. Mild conditions continued through to summer with few days reaching over 25C. The start of Autumn provided glorious sunshine days and cool oceanic evenings hailing the start of veraison. The vacant heat returned shortly thereafter to kickstart what would be a long and late vintage. The fruit was in absolutely no rush to be picked and showed its relaxed appreciation through integrated and balanced phenolic profiles.
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of wild cherry, orange rind, and tobacco on the nose are complemented by an underlying savoury character, with notes of game, dried herb, aniseed, and dark cherry following on the palate. A lively acid profile, chalky yet ripened tannin, pronounced weight, and unlimited potential.
Optimal Drinking: 2022-2040
2021 Cooinda Vale 'Oronsay' Pinot Noir
Varietal/s: Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13.2%
PH: 3.55
TA: 6.06 g/l
Yield: 6.0 tonnes/Hectare
Clone: Pommard
Baume: 12.8
Harvest Date: 13th April, 2021
Bottle Date: 24th July, 2022
Production: 1500 bottles
Viticulture:
Vineyard: Cooinda Vale
Location: Campania, Tasmania
Appellation: Coal River Valley
Established: 1985
Elevation: 80m-100m
Soil Type: Sandy loams & sandy clay loam over impervious clay
Aspect: North-East Facing
Size: 6ha under vine
Vinification:
100% whole bunch fermentation (wild) for 24 days. Pressed to 40% new French oak barriques (50% Cavin / 50% St. Martin, both medium toast, tight-grained) for 14 months.
Growing Season:
The season started with consistent spring rainfall that built a solid foundation with strong, healthy canopies and bountiful bunch numbers. Mild conditions continued through to summer with few days reaching over 25C. The start of Autumn provided glorious sunshine days and cool oceanic evenings hailing the start of veraison. The vacant heat returned shortly thereafter to kickstart what would be a long and late vintage. The fruit was in absolutely no rush to be picked and showed its relaxed appreciation through integrated and balanced phenolic profiles.
Tasting Notes:
An attractive aroma of cedarwood, kirsch, oakmoss, and warming spice on the nose. The palate is restrained with subtle notes of poached strawberry, dark cherry, earth and allspice continue. Understated tannin, bright acidity and incredibly finessed.
Optimal Drinking: 2022 - 2042
2021 Jack Denis Pinot Noir
Varietal/s: Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13.2%
PH: 3.65
TA: 5.73 g/l
Yield: 6.5 tonnes/Hectare
Clone/s: 114, 115, Pommard
Baume: 12-12.3
Harvest Date: 29th March to 10th April, 2021
Bottle Date: 22nd July, 2022
Production: 1500 bottles
Viticulture:
Vineyard: Cooinda Vale
Location: Campania, Tasmania
Appellation: Coal River Valley
Established: 1985
Elevation: 80m-100m
Soil Type: Shallow sandy clay loams over impervious clays.
Aspect: Sheltered North-East facing
Size: 12ha under vine
Vinification:
100% destemmed. Fermentation was wild for 18 days with 10 days post ferment maceration. Pressed to 40% new French oak barriques (75% Cavin / 25% St. Martin, both medium toast, tight-grained) for 14 months.
Growing Season:
The season started with consistent spring rainfall that built a solid foundation with strong, healthy canopies and bountiful bunch numbers. Mild conditions continued through to summer with few days reaching over 25C. The start of Autumn provided glorious sunshine days and cool oceanic evenings hailing the start of veraison. The vacant heat returned shortly thereafter to kickstart what would be a long and late vintage. The fruit was in absolutely no rush to be picked and showed its relaxed appreciation through integrated and balanced phenolic profiles.
Tasting Notes:
A symphonic display of perfume and florals with deeply enriching notes of violets, rosemary, cedar and stewed strawberry on the nose. An innate tone of earth, savoury tobacco, fresh leather, and foraged mushrooms follow on the palate. There's a measured restraint to this wine with a crushed velvet texture, pitch-perfect acidity and endless joy on the finish.
Optimal Drinking: 2022 to 2040
2021 JRD Syrah
Varietal/s: Syrah
Alcohol: 13.7%
PH: 3.62
TA: 5.77 g/l
Yield: 5.0 tonnes/Hectare
Clone/s: R6WV28 (Tahbilk)
Baume: 12
Harvest Date: 3rd May, 2021
Bottle Date: 25th July, 2022
Production: 989 bottles
Vinification:
100% destemmed. Fermentation (wild) for 10 days then pressed to French oak barriques 33% new for 14 months (Vallurine-Rhone, Medium Toast – Tight Grain – 36 months seasoning).
Viticulture:
Location: Cooinda Vale, Campania
Appellation: Coal River Valley
Established: 1985
Elevation: 80m-100m
Soil Type: Sandy loams & sandy clay loam over impervious clay
Aspect: North-East Facing
Size: 6ha under vine
Growing Season:
The season started with consistent spring rainfall that built a solid foundation with strong, healthy canopies and bountiful bunch numbers. Mild conditions continued through to summer with few days reaching over 25C. The start of Autumn provided glorious sunshine days and cool oceanic evenings hailing the start of veraison. The vacant heat returned shortly thereafter to kickstart what would be a long and late vintage. The fruit was in absolutely no rush to be picked and showed its relaxed appreciation through integrated and balanced phenolic profiles.
Tasting Notes:
Crunchy notes of bramble, blueberries, violets, and a dusting of white pepper on the nose. A mouthwatering display of aniseed, red liquorice, tobacco leaf, and cocoa continuing on the palate. Brilliant tension, integrated tannins, and layered complexity. Simply wondrous.
Optimal Drinking: 2022 - 2047
(Image: Pooley Wines www.pooleywines.com.au)