Holm Oak The Wizard 2021

It’s always exciting when a wine makes you stop and think. The Holm Oak The Wizard is the top of the range in the winery’s portfolio of Pinot Noirs and it is easy to see why, making use of diversified clonal selection and 30% whole bunch. There’s no shortage of interest on the nose, with deep and concentrated primary fruits vying for attention alongside compelling notes of decomposing leaves (or forest floor for the romantics out there), wild mushroom, damp earth, clove, churchy spice and incense, cedar and the lingering wisp of tobacco. The palate gives reason to pause. There is just so much going on here, and it’s all delicious. Juicy, long and elegant ribbons of acidity keep the tension as tight as a Netflix cliff-hanger. Tannins have enough muscle to age well into a decade, and to hold the intensity of spice and fruit that is wrapped around its frame. At its core, this is a beautiful wine. It’s clear on its intentions, yet it provides layers of complexity and detail while it takes you to its final destination, complete with a ferrous, savoury finish. A full orchestra of a wine. Bravo.