It is difficult, perhaps impossible to really say that one winery or another is “the best” in most states. But over the years, we have found it increasingly hard to escape the conclusion that Stefano Lubiana probably really is the best, most consistent producer of wine excellence in Tasmania. And if it’s not the “best” in a specific year, it would always be in the conversation as top two or three – every year. It is truly a special place, a treasure of Tasmania.
What makes Stefano Lubiana so extraordinary to us is their consistent ability to create excruciatingly delicious wines that are both ‘precise’ and ‘characterful’. Precision alone isn’t so hard if you have the equipment and knowledge – you get it quite often with some of the majors – very precise wines devoid of character (to such a point the core varietal is even sometimes indiscernible!) “Character” is even easier again – if a winemaker is sufficiently imprecise, he/she is near guaranteed character, just not the kind that is wonderful to drink. But precision and delightful character together – that is hard to achieve – and we would have thought impossible to achieve consistently except that Lubiana does it again and again…
You really ought to try Stefano Lubiana’s current Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir and you’ll see just what we mean. That Pinot Gris … it traces such precise paths so gracefully in its flavour journey – like a symphony on the tongue, illuminating specific crescendoing flavours as it moves with purpose. In short, magic…
Wine wizardry (which is really the sum of relentless commitment, hard work, grit and perseverance) like that of Stefano Lubiana is #WhyWeLoveWine
