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Clarence House Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2024 is a poised, cool-climate Tasmanian Pinot that trades in perfume, fine-boned structure and quiet confidence rather than sheer volume, rewarding both contemplation now and patient cellaring later.
APPEARANCE >
Pale to medium garnet in the glass, with a translucent core that hints at delicacy rather than density. A light ruby rim and fine, slow-moving legs suggest moderate alcohol and a supple, mid-weight frame.
NOSE >
The first impression is floral: rose petals and violets lifted by the 15% whole-bunch component, giving a subtle stemmy perfume. Red cherry and wild strawberry sit alongside darker suggestions of blackberry, with forest floor, dried herbs and mixed baking spice (clove, star anise, cinnamon) adding savoury complexity. A gentle halo of smoky, sweet spice from French oak barriques and puncheons folds into the fruit rather than dominating it.
PALATE >
Medium bodied and finely etched, this Reserve is all about precision: concentrated red and black fruits glide across the palate, tempered by a line of cool-climate acidity that keeps everything lively.
The whole-bunch inclusion brings a sappy, mineral edge and a faint campari-like bitterness that adds interest without austerity. Tannins are ultra-fine yet insistent—chalky rather than grippy—giving the wine shape and suggesting 8–10 years of graceful development in a good cellar.
LENGTH >
The finish is long, tapering and quietly persistent, with red cherry, blood orange zest, rosehip and spice lingering well after the last sip. As the wine opens in the glass (or decanter), the tail fans out: more savoury notes—dried thyme, undergrowth, a whisper of black tea—emerge and extend the aftertaste.
PAIRING >
This is a natural fit for game birds: think roast quail or duck with cherry or plum jus, where the wine’s acidity and fine tannin cut through the richness without overwhelming the dish. Equally at home with Tasmanian wallaby fillet, mushroom and thyme pithivier, or chargrilled king oyster mushrooms over polenta, it thrives alongside dishes that echo its earth, umami and gentle spice. For a simple weeknight match, roast chicken with crispy skin, fennel and root vegetables lets the wine’s purity of fruit take centre stage.
VERDICT >
I can still remember the first time I tried Clarence House wines, (it was a Qantas Wines special), a good discount on a wine that surprised and delighted. I have now made sure it remains a regular in the cellar year after year.
Of course reserve bottlings are meant to feel a little more composed, a little more serious, and Clarence House Reserve Pinot delivers exactly that: with perfume, spice, nuanced tannin and freshness in a package that never feels forced. It’s a wine that should appeal as much to Burgundy traditionalists as to modern Australian Pinot fans—elegant and ethereal, yet grounded in Tasmanian character and a strong sense of place.
Decant for an hour now to let the aromatics unfurl, or tuck a few bottles away; either way, this 2024 Reserve feels like a quiet benchmark for the estate and a compelling argument for Cambridge Pinot.
Address | Clarence House Estate, 193 Pass Road, Cambridge, Tasmania 7018, Australia. Website | chwine.com.au Instagram | @clarencehousewine |
