2024 Holyman
Planted in 1986 on deep clay over limestone, soils that hold water through summer and lend natural concentration to small berries, the Holyman vineyard ranks among Tasmania’s earliest established cool-climate sites. These old vines, dry-grown and closely spaced, yield fruit of natural concentration and phenolic depth. While the Chardonnay is fermented in 100% (!) new French barriques, line and tension is maintained. While the Pinot Noir delivers old-vine perfume and sappy structure through judicious whole-bunch use. Joe Holyman’s approach is pragmatic minimalism, nothing added, nothing subtracted, and always deference to site.
“Love the Holyman Chardonnay. One of my top producers in Australia,” says Gary Walsh of The Wine Front “I’d argue this comes from one of the best Pinot sites in the country, from one of the best Pinot winemakers.”
For Burgundy Insiders
2022 Pierre Yves Colin Morey Grand Cru Corton Blanc, Hospices de Beaune
2022 was a very successful vintage for the Hospice, and chief winemaker, the talented and erudite Ludivine Griveau says she is impressed with the fruit and the tannins, (ie the phenolic structure giving long life) in the powerful 22 whites.
Being recognised and purchased in new barrels, and then raised by Pierre Yves Colin Morey makes this a benchmark white.
The Cuvée Docter Peste Corton Blanc, starting in 2022, comes exclusively from Corton Les Chaumes , which is situated above Corton Le Vigne au Saint and Clos de Cortons. The plot was originally pinot, but due to the limestone content was replanted over a decade ago to chardonnay. This is in the section on Les Chaumes directly below and close to Le Charlemange. This is “cheap” for a grand cru of such lineage and winemaking talent!
