Meadowbank is best known for its Riesling and Pinot Noir, so this is a rare, somewhat experimental release - the 2020 Blanc de Noirs was made exclusively with Meadowbank Pinot Noir and aged in bottle for 3 years prior to release, with no added sugar. Decadent, rich and unctuous in style, with a generous mouthfeel and delicious notes of strawberry and red plum.

Gerald and Sue Ellis picked the first grapes from their large vineyard at the top end of the Derwent River in 1976, having planted the vines in '74. It was a labour of love, and a calculated risk, there being only a handful of wineries in the region at the time. They made their wines at the neighbouring winery, Frogmore Creek, who eventually purchased the Meadowbank cellar door, leaving the Ellis's to focus on growing grapes. Enter rising star winemaker Peter Dredge, a South Australian who did time at Petaluma before moving to Tasmania. Dredge, having been intimately associated with the vineyard for six years, formed a partnership with the now extended Ellis family (Gerald, Sue, daughter Mardi and her husband, Alex Dean) to relaunch Meadowbank. With old vines, quality winemaking and a families commitment to a special site, the future of Meadowbank seems assured. Exciting times. Meadowbank is best know for it's Riesling and Pinot Noir, so this is a rare, somewhat experimental release - a sparkling rosé that is made from Pinot juice that has been blended with Chardonnay, and fermented to dryness in bottle. It's delicately spritzy and beautifully pale pink in colour. Filled with grapefruit, tangy rhubarb and watermelon flavours, it is dry and elegant and a real delight to drink.