2024 Holm Oak Riesling, Tamar Valley

Pale straw with a flash of green and fruit aromas of lemon, lime, grapefruit and green apple. Hints of apple turnover, crushed stone, citrus blossom, jasmine and sea spray. Focused and pure with a wonderful sense of tension and light grapefruit pith texture sailing long on the exit with a distinct, minerally cadence.

94 points Special Value Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Holm Oak Riesling from the Tamar Valley is a crisp and zesty cool-climate white that shows just how well Riesling thrives in Tasmania. Holm Oak is a small, family-owned estate founded in 1983, run today by winemaker Bec Duffy and viticulturist Tim Duffy, who bring a hands-on, sustainable approach to their vineyards. The Tamar Valley’s combination of cool nights, mild sunny days and long ripening seasons produces fruit with great aromatic lift and natural acidity, ideal for elegant Riesling.

This wine is pale lemon in colour with aromas of lime blossom, green apple, lemon zest and a touch of white florals. On the palate it’s taut and vibrant, showing a core of citrus and crunchy green apple, with a fine mineral line running through to the long, mouth-watering finish. The balance between fruit purity and racy acidity makes it both refreshing and structured, a style that nods to Clare Valley Riesling but with a distinctly Tasmanian edge of finesse and delicacy.

Holm Oak Riesling pairs brilliantly with oysters, freshly grilled fish, Thai salads, or lightly spiced dishes where its citrus drive cuts through richness. It’s also perfect with goat’s cheese or vegetarian dishes like zucchini fritters and asparagus risotto. While wonderfully refreshing young, it has the structure to develop over 8–10 years, building layers of honeyed complexity and lanolin while retaining its crisp acid backbone.