This is the first Stargazer Pinot Noir to come from the Palisander Vineyard, purchased in February 2016. Located in the Tea Tree sub-region of the Coal River Valley, twenty minutes north-east of Hobart, it was planted with vines in 2002. It is very aromatic with a lifted nose which is firmly in the red fruits spectrum: think cranberries, red cherries and pomegranate. Light and delicate the 2016 Pinot Noir is all about crunchy red fruits and a creamy, layered texture. The tannins are lacy and delicate. Some more refined, savoury dried herb characters emerge with air. Delicious and rare only 2880 bottles produced.
Owner and winemaker of Stargazer, Samantha is a former Red Winemaker of the Year, a title won whilst head winemaker at McLaren Vale’s Wirra Wirra Vineyards. Now bringing her skills to bear on her own project she is undoubtedly going to propel Stargazer onto ever greater heights.
Stargazer pays tribute to Abel Tasman, who as an explorer and navigator, must have spent a fair amount of time gazing towards the heavens. Tasman, a Dutchman under the employ of the United East India Company was the first European to sight Tasmania (on 24 November 1642) and then the South Island of New Zealand, nineteen days later on 13 December.