Holm Oak Arneis 2025

Arneis may never have been destined for the mainstream, but I’m always a little surprised that it hasn’t taken off in this country to a much greater degree than what we have seen. Certainly, the quality of the wines it provides would suggest it deserves that. This example was allowed to see the fruit settle for eighteen hours, before it was transferred to their Numblot egg (fermentation and maturation in egg-shaped vessels is becoming more and more popular), which accounted for 25% of the harvest, with the rest going into older oak barrels. After a natural fermentation, the wine spent a further five months maturing on yeast lees. Yellow/straw, this has a rather lovely sun-on-warm-rocks character. We have notes of stone fruit, apples and hints of apricot skins as well. A wine of precision and focus with a good lingering finish and bright, zesty acidity throughout. Enjoy this over the next five years and while you are doing so, ponder why we do not see more Arneis. This is yet more confirmation of the quality that can be on offer.