Pooley Wines was established in 1985 when the late Denis and Margaret Pooley planted ten rows of Riesling and seven rows of Pinot Noir on their 16-hectare farm at Cooinda Vale in the Coal River Valley in southern Tasmania. Today, after more than 20 years of producing premium quality cool-climate wines, and having been awarded numerous trophies and medals at prestigious wine shows, the Pooley family has established a second vineyard in the Coal River Valley at Richmond. Margaret Pooley remained the chief executive of Cooinda Vale Vineyard until well into her nineties. She was a hardy Scot and could be found tending vines during the coldest Tasmanian winters.

A love the combination of earthiness and perfume here, it’s just so appealing and distinct. There’s black and red cherry, spice and creaminess to oak that frames up the wine so well. It has a subtle ferrous character, a fine graphite feel to tannin, balanced acidity, and a slight dried herb character. The finish is long with a quiet ‘mineral’ edge. It feels like it will come together very well with a little more bottle age. So lovely. My kind of Pinot Noir, in short. Date: Apr 2025; Alcohol: 13.3%; Price: $80; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2026-2034; Rated: 95 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front