Holm Oak The Wizard Chardonnay 2025
- 95
- $65
- Drink by: 2026-2036
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This is from a warmer vintage than we often see from Tasmania and the wine is perhaps a little fuller in flavour than usual because of it. Fermentation was with native yeasts in barrel. 65% of the wine then underwent malolactic fermentation. Maturation was in French oak, 65% of which was new. The team use a range of coopers to enhance complexity. Shimmering lemon/gold, there is good intensity and focus here. On the nose, we have notes of citrus, florals, cashews, ginger, nectarines, a touch of oatmeal and orange rinds. A lovely, creamy texture is evident, and the wine has both balance and focus. Great length here. This is a really classy Chardonnay and has room to improve even further. Good intensity of flavour is evident throughout. Enjoy this over the next six to ten years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
