The Hunter Valley is the source of one of the world’s most distinctive and ageworthy wines – unoaked Semillon. Picked early at low potential alcohol levels to retain acidity, Hunter Valley Semillon is a wine that needs time in bottle. When young, it is dominated by lemon citrus acidity. Yes, young Hunter Semillon can be enjoyable with a dozen freshly shucked oysters, delivering a razor sharp citrus bit not unlike a decent Muscadet. But the real pleasure lies in enjoyed aged examples that have filled out with time in bottle.
Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon is without a doubt an Australian classic. In times of old, it was released with 5 years bottle age, and sold at very generous prices, especially when on offer. It wasn’t uncommon to see it being offered at under $10 a bottle by the case back in the late 1990’s. Fill you boots indeed!
The 2001 Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon is yet another fine example in this label’s wonderful history. Sealed under cork (there is some bottle variation it has to be said), the wine has developed honeyed, slightly nutty notes with age, overlaying lemon curd. All in all, it’s a rather delicious bargain, best enjoyed with a piece of simply grilled fish or similar.
2001 ELIZABETH SEMILLON
Producer: McWilliams Mount Pleasant
Variety: Semillon
Vintage: 2001
Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
ABV: 11.0%
Price: N/a
Closure: Natural cork
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 19 September 2011
Tasting Note:
Mature nose, very typical aged Hunter Semillon; beeswax, lanolin and lemon pith. Dry, medium bodied, plenty of acidity, honeyed lemon, slightly nutty in character. A food wine, in this case perhaps suited to a simple fish dish. These cork sealed 2001’s are nearing full maturity and need to be drunk over the next 12-18 months.
Score: 16.5/20
Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon is without a doubt an Australian classic. In times of old, it was released with 5 years bottle age, and sold at very generous prices, especially when on offer. It wasn’t uncommon to see it being offered at under $10 a bottle by the case back in the late 1990’s. Fill you boots indeed!
The 2001 Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon is yet another fine example in this label’s wonderful history. Sealed under cork (there is some bottle variation it has to be said), the wine has developed honeyed, slightly nutty notes with age, overlaying lemon curd. All in all, it’s a rather delicious bargain, best enjoyed with a piece of simply grilled fish or similar.
2001 ELIZABETH SEMILLON Producer: McWilliams Mount Pleasant
Variety: Semillon
Vintage: 2001
Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
ABV: 11.0%
Price: N/a
Closure: Natural cork
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 19 September 2011
Tasting Note:
Mature nose, very typical aged Hunter Semillon; beeswax, lanolin and lemon pith. Dry, medium bodied, plenty of acidity, honeyed lemon, slightly nutty in character. A food wine, in this case perhaps suited to a simple fish dish. These cork sealed 2001’s are nearing full maturity and need to be drunk over the next 12-18 months.
Score: 16.5/20
No comments:
Post a Comment