This is a firm, personal favourite of mine, and I might be a touch biased considering it's a local drop, but I wouldn't say my favouritism is misplaced. Clover Hill's entry level cuvee immediately impresses with its white creamy mousse followed by a pale straw colour with pale gold edges and exceptionally fine bead showing great persistence. Good lift on the nose with aromas of pear and a touch of baked apple followed by some toast and yeast lees. The palate displays bready baked apple flavours followed by some subtle toast and yeast lees characters. Clean dry finish with an almost creamy like mouthfeel. Long aftertaste of baked apple, toasty bread and yeast lees.
Past Accolades and Awards:
James Halliday: 94 (2008) An estate-grown blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, whole bunch-pressed, then made using traditional method, with a minimum of three years on yeast lees. Pale, bright straw-green, it has a Tasmanian-given mix of delicacy and intensity, focus and complexity, riding high on a shaft of acidity, white flowers and citrus to the fore. Will age very well.
Mike Bennie: 92 (2008) Clean, fresh aromas of green apples, oyster shells/sea breeze and toasted nuts. There's a floral note in the palate, but it's predominately white peach and oyster shell/brine again, though the nutty/brioche flavours linger in back palate.
James Halliday: 93 (2007) Golden bronze; abundant flavour and complexity; quite ripe peach fruit with some spicy notes ex the pinot noir; good length and balance.
James Halliday: 96 (2003)
From the Winery: Since 1994 the Clover hill sparkling blend has evolved to include all three classic grape varieties, with chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. Crafted according to traditional methods, this wine is matured on lees in its bottle for a minimum of 3 years. It contains components of selected reserve wines aged in French oak foudres and barrels to ensure the unique personality that is the Clover Hill house style. This wine displays a bouquet of complex layers of lemon, ripe apples and honey, with toasty, nutty yeast characters. An elegant sparkling wine with superb length, that will continue to improve under cork for up to 10 years.
