Clover Hill has long been regarded as one of Australia's leading sparkling producers and this week saw the release of their 2005 Blanc de Blanc sparkling. As with previous vintages of this wine the 2005 vintage has plenty of classic sparkling Chardonnay characters; citrus, stone fruit, and a long, elegant palate driven by zesty, natural acidity. The time on lees has added complex honey and brioche notes.  

"96 Points. Clover Hill was one of the earliest sparkling producers in Tasmania and the 2005 Clover Hill Blanc de Blancs (A$55) is a blend of 75-per-cent Piper's River fruit with 25 per cent from Coal Valley. This surely must rate as one the best bubbles they have ever made. There is an opening of warm toast but it soon moves to a creamy lemony note and then a slight briny, oyster shell character. The flavours just keep coming at you in delicious waves and there is great persistence. It really is stunning stuff" - Ken Gargett, Gourmet Traveller Wine, December/January 2010.

"95 Points. Clover Hill was established by Taltarni in 1986, with the sole purpose of making premium sparkling wine; the initial plantings were 12 of chardonnay, 6.5ha of pinot noir and 1.5ha of pinot meunier. Bright yellow-green, the bouquet is fresh and vibrant, the palate intense and long, with exceedingly crisp and zesty citrus flavours, then a dry, well-balanced finish" - James Halliday, Top 100 Wines, November 14-15, 2009.

"The 2005 Blanc de Blancs is a pale straw colour with a fine, persistent bead and mousse. It displays classic sparkling Chardonnay characters of lemon and white peach, and a long, elegant palate driven by minerality and natural acidity. The time on lees has added complex honey and brioche notes. It is drinking beautifully now but has the structure to develop over the next 8- 10 years" - Winemaker notes from Clover Hill.