Handpicked Tasmanian Pinot Noir 2022

Origins

Tasmania, Australia’s southernmost state, lies closer to Antarctica than it does to the tropics. That cool temperament — long growing seasons, strong diurnal shifts, and ocean cooled breezes — suits Pinot Noir like a hand stitched glove. The grapes for this wine come from vineyards where sloping terrain and mineral rich soils coax out both aromatic lift and structural precision.

For Handpicked Wines, Tasmania offers an ideal blank canvas: vineyards aren’t pressured into overt ripeness. Instead, slow, balanced maturation allows complexity to unfold, one layer at a time. The result is Pinot Noir that feels both refined and expressive — a wine born of patience.

The Vineyard 

In Tasmania, vines are treated less like machines and more like artists’ brushes: carefully managed, respectfully trained, and allowed space to express. Canopy management focuses on gentle sun exposure, airflow, and even ripening. Yields are kept modest so that the energy of the site concentrates in every cluster. The oceans that surround the island help moderate temperatures, keeping acids bright and aromatics graceful.

This isn’t a “jammy” Pinot. It’s a studied, elegantly wild voice — where soil, weather, and human craft converge.

Winemaking

Handpicked’s winemaking for this Pinot Noir leans toward restraint, to let fruit purity and site detail steer the narrative. Grapes are destemmed and gently handled to preserve freshness. Fermentation occurs in small batches, often open fermenters, to allow for subtle texture development. After primary fermentation, the wine typically sees time in fine French oak — just enough to enhance structure, spice, and harmony without masking the fruit.

Tasting Notes 

Pour it and watch as crimson hues catch the light. Aromas emerge with subtle drama: red cherry and raspberry lead, followed by forest floor, clove, and a hint of dried herbs. On the palate, bright red fruits dance with cool, flinty undertones. Think tart cherry, cranberry skin, and dusty strawberry, wrapped in fine tannins and buoyed by a lively thread of acidity. The finish is long, teasing spice and a whisper of earth that lingers like a memorable line of verse.

Accolades & Recognition

Over the years, Handpicked Tasmanian Pinot Noir has regularly turned heads in Australian and international tastings. Critics praise its balance, length, and site driven character. It has scored well in national wine shows and contributed to Handpicked Wines’ reputation as a producer capable of crafting cool climate reds with restraint and flair.