Largely made from blocks identified and pruned for this wine in the winter of '16. Clones MV6 and 115 included, plus 30% whole bunches in small open fermenters, wild fermentation. A barrel selection of 20 barrels (60% new/40% 1yo), bottled May '18. The wine has soaked up the oak to a surprising, but good, degree. The overall level of fruit richness far higher than its standard sibling, and the wine is already in balance.
97 points James Halliday winecompanion.com.au 01 August 2019Holm Oak is a labour of love for winemaker Bec Duffy and her husband Tim Duffy, viticulturalist. Since 2013 they have followed their dream of crafting delicious expressions of cool-climate Tasmanian wines. With 20 years’ experience gained in Australia and the US, Bec approaches winemaking with precision, continually perfecting her craft to let the wines speak authentically of their place of origin. Tim is a third-generation grape grower and an agronomist with extensive viticultural experience. Their complementary skills drive their vision to produce delicious wines that reflect their home, Tasmania’s pristine Tamar Valley, and their own personalities – honest, down to earth, genuine and authentic.
Located in Tamar Valley, Tasmania, Holm Oak's estate vineyards are steeped in sporting history. In the 1930s, Alexander Patent Racquet Co. selected the site for cultivation of Holm Oak trees, intended for use in the production of tennis racquets.
Sadly, the wood from the Holm Oak trees didn’t meet the standards required by the company. That’s where this story takes a fortuitous turn for the Tasmanian wine industry; grape vines were planted in the rich and fertile land in 1983, making Holm Oak one of the older vineyards in Tasmania. Using the original Pinot Noir and Cabernet plantings, we now also cultivate Arneis, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
Holm Oak's premium estate-grown Pinot Noir, 'The Wizard’ was inspired by the site's tennis heritage. Sourced from six specific rows of the vineyard, it was named after the famous tennis racquet of the same name. Produced by Alexander Patent Racquet Co, it was used by Australia's Jack Crawford when he won Wimbledon in 1933.