Product Description:
Wild, complex and unmistakably Tasmanian—Pinot with depth, mystery, and a Burgundian soul.
The 2023 Apsley Gorge Pinot Noir is not trying to charm you upfront—it’s a wine that demands patience, air, and curiosity. From a vintage marked by tight structure and subdued fruit, winemaker Brian Franklin (trained in Burgundy, now a legend in Tasmania) extended the cold soak to draw out every nuance from his hand-tended, unirrigated vineyard in the Apsley Valley. The result is a Pinot Noir that emerges slowly but rewards generously.
Expect a slightly funky start—wild aromatics of charcuterie, forest floor and spice. As it opens, deeper layers reveal themselves: ripe cherry, earth, savoury tannin and spice. Textured, firm, and deeply structured, this is Pinot built to age or stretch out in the decanter over a long dinner. Don’t serve it too cold. Don’t rush it. Just let it evolve.
Maker
Brian Franklin, the owner and winemaker of Apsley Gorge, brings a wealth of experience to the craft of winemaking. After initially training under Philippe Charlopin, one of Burgundy’s most respected winemakers, Brian’s winemaking journey led him to the Apsley Valley. His expertise in the French tradition of winemaking, combined with his nearly 40 years of experience in both France and Australia, has shaped the wines of Apsley Gorge into one of Tasmania’s finest examples of cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Brian’s hands-on approach, from viticulture to fermentation, ensures that every bottle expresses the unique character of the land.
Apsley Gorge is a testament to Brian’s commitment to producing exceptional wines with great purity and structure. The vineyard’s location, near the entrance to the Apsley Gorge National Park, enjoys cooling afternoon breezes, which moderate the climate and promote long, slow ripening. With a focus on natural winemaking techniques and minimal intervention, Brian produces wines that are as individual as the site they come from, with each vintage representing a new opportunity to showcase the potential of the land.
Philosophy
At Apsley Gorge, the philosophy revolves around the careful, natural expression of the vineyard’s terroir. Brian Franklin’s approach to winemaking is rooted in the belief that great wine begins in the vineyard, where healthy soils, low yields, and careful vineyard management are key to achieving the highest quality fruit. The vineyard is farmed without irrigation, and every vine is hand-pruned and hand-picked to ensure that only the best grapes make it into the wine.
Winemaking at Apsley Gorge is focused on minimal intervention, allowing the natural characteristics of the grapes to shine through. Fermentation is carried out with native yeasts, and oak usage is kept to a minimum to allow the fruit to take centre stage. The result is a collection of wines that are rich, complex, and balanced, with a clear reflection of the region’s unique growing conditions. The philosophy of Apsley Gorge is to produce wines that are expressive, structured, and built to age, showcasing the exceptional potential of Tasmania’s cool-climate vineyards.
Tasting Notes
NOSE
– Earthy and savoury
Charcuterie, spice and forest floor with complex pinot funk and latent red fruit.
PALATE
– Textured and layered
Rich fruit meets firm tannins; wild herbs, black cherry, and hints of undergrowth unfold slowly.
FINISH
– Long and refined
Mouth-coating with lasting acidity, minerality, and a structural backbone for cellaring.
Finer Details
Style: Red Wine
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Country: Australia
Region: Tasmania
Vintage: 2023
Bottle Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
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