Clarence House Pinot Blanc 2024
The Wine
Pinot Blanc, loosely regarded as Burgundian, being a white berry mutation of Pinot Noir with much lower levels of colour pigmentation (anthocyanins). It traverses various subtle flavour spectrums including apple, peach, lemon zest, almond, and sometimes a touch of smokiness. Its familiar production locales include, Alsace, Friuli and Austria under the name ‘Weissburgunder’, where some quite serious bottlings are found of both crisp dry and botrytised versions. To top it off, in the past we stocked Querciabella’s (Chianti) $$s homage to Batard Montrachet in their ‘Batàr’ (Chardonnay/Pinot Bianco). Pinot Blanc is a versatile grape that allows the winemaker to use their creative brush to create many different canvases.
The Clarence House has to be one of my favorites Pinot Blancs.
From CH blocks 6 and 7, it sees a brief period on skins before being pressed, lightly settled and then racked for a slow, cool ferment. It shows beautiful but subtle perfumes of white flowers/white stone fruits. The acidity is deftly maintained so there's the right amount of ‘electric current’ running it’s breadth. In the mouth it’s textural and sleek, with that acid charge keeping the motor humming! There’s some fruitiness, but then seemingly on command all the elements combine in a dry finale! Can be matched with a wide selection of flavours or just on its own with a selection of cheeses. From experience, this will also take some age. Will appeal to both the amateur and enthusiast! TC
The Details
Variety - Pinot Blanc
Country - Australia
Region - Tasmania
Extra - Screwcap
Year - 2024
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
This small vineyard is located just north of Hobart on a perfectly positioned north-east facing slope. The beautiful old Georgian homestead of Clarence House was built in 1830 at Clarence Plains, Mt Rumney, and has been maintained in its original splendour surrounded by beautiful gardens. In 1998 present owner David Kilpatrick began planting vines on the north east sloping block facing Mount Rumney just below the Coal River Valley. Over 8ha of the total 12ha of plantings consists of pinot noir and chardonnay, with the remainder including pinot blanc, sauvignon blanc, merlot and tempranillo. The vines are tended by Mark Hoey, who incorporates organic and biodynamic approaches in the vineyard. All wines are now made by Anna Pooley and Justin Bubb at the nearby Pooley cellar in Cambridge
