96 Points – James Halliday

Tolpuddle Vineyard is Tasmania's most celebrated single-vineyard estate — a 20-hectare site in the Coal River Valley planted in 1988 and managed by Shaw + Smith. The 2023 scores 96 points from James Halliday and delivers another extraordinary chapter in Tolpuddle's story, with more concentration than the 2022 and a vintage character that is all its own.

My Wine Man

This is for the serious Pinot lover who wants the best Tasmania has to offer. The 2023 was a cooler vintage — lighter bunches due to a wetter spring, followed by excellent ripening conditions — and the result is a wine of real precision and depth. If you've tried the 2024 (97pts), the 2023 is a fascinating comparison and still one of the finest Pinot Noirs made in Australia.

Tasting Notes

Vibrant magenta-splashed ruby in the glass. Aromas of dark cherry, plum and blackberry with hints of crushed herbs, softly spoken vanillin oak, raspberry coulis, charcuterie, purple flowers, bay leaf and stone. Rich and flowy on the palate, with spice, herbal and floral tendrils weaving through pure dark fruit. Textural and harmonious, with finely crushed riverstone tannins and a mineral line providing support and cadence. Another cracking release from Tolpuddle.

Style & Drinking Window

Medium-bodied with silky, precise tannins and a long mineral finish. Drinking beautifully now and will reward 5–10 years in the cellar. Serve lightly chilled at 14–16°C. A natural match for duck breast, salmon, mushroom dishes, or pinot-friendly charcuterie.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At 96 Halliday points, the 2023 Tolpuddle is one of the highest-scoring Australian Pinot Noirs of the vintage. From a single vineyard with over 35 years of history, made by one of Australia's most gifted winemaking teams — this is a collector's bottle that also happens to be drinking beautifully right now.

Looking for a different style?

To step up to the latest release, the 2024 Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir (97pts Halliday) is the pinnacle of the range. For the estate's equally celebrated white, the 2024 Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay is exceptional. For a more accessible Tasmanian Pinot, the 2023 Dalrymple Pinot Noir is the place to start.

Life's too short for bad wine.