By Gourmet Traveller Wine
Visiting Clover Hill is to experience a true sparkling wine house. Poised above a spectacular vineyard in Tasmania’s wild north, this impressive cellar door has super star quality. The neo-modern, architectural marvel of rammed earth and weathered steel offers breathtaking views of the sea of vines overlooking Bass Strait. Established by the Goelet family, a commitment to the craft of quality méthode traditionelle makes Clover Hill one of Australia’s finest sparkling wine estates.
The welcoming team led by manager Ian White delivers highly personalised customer service with a focus on education and understanding. As you explore Clover Hill’s rosé and vintage cuvées, you will appreciate the significance of an extraordinary single vineyard dedicated exclusively to cold climate chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. The house style of pedigree and finesse was proudly served during the wedding celebrations for Crown Princess Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark. For the price of the elite experience ($75), you too can receive the royal treatment incorporating a guided tasting with access to limited-release exceptionelle and prestige cuvée, and a tapas platter. LOUISE RADMAN
OUTSTANDING WINE: 2006 Clover Hill Cuvée Prestige Brut
2006 CUVÉE PRESTIGE LATE DISGORGED BRUT
96 points
This is wonderfully complex and loaded with mellow, mature flavour and aroma. It has a multi-layered toasty, nutty bouquet with a buttered popcorn overtone, yet remains fresh and vibrant throughout. It’s rich, soft and full-bodied. The finish rolls on and on.