Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends are a dime a dozen in Margaret River. The old ‘Classic Dry White’ is a fixture on many producers lists. Yet few treat the style as seriously as perhaps it merits. This is a pity, as the white blends of Graves and Pessac-Leognan, south of the city of Bordeaux, are among the worlds finest, most exciting and food friendly wines.
Cullen is one producer that puts as much effort into its Semillon Sauvignon Blanc as its flagship Chardonnay and Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend varies between being Semillon heavy and Sauvignon Blanc based from one year to another, depending on vintage conditions. The wine sees partial maturation in oak barrels, the oak contributing structure and complexity.
As evidenced by the 2002 and 2003 vintages, both tasted in the back end of 2011, this is a wine that can age beautifully. Sauvignon Blanc is to the fore in the 2002 (sealed under natural cork), with remarkably fresh Sauvignon characters of cut grass and nettles underpinned by the Semillon. It is drinking superbly now, but has time up its sleeve.
Te 2003 (sealed under screw cap) is Semillon-based and is showing some honeyed signs of maturity, the Sauvignon Blanc providing just a bit of lift. It’s not as complex as the 2002 and it’s a bit more advanced, but there’s plenty of pleasure to be had. All in all, this is a wine to be sought out and cellared for a minimum of 5 years.
2002 SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLON
Producer: Cullen
Variety: Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend
Vintage: 2002
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
ABV: 14.0%
Price: N/a
Closure: Cork
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 29 September 2011
Tasting Note:
Greenish yellow in colour. Very fresh nose of cut grass, nettles and dill together with white peach, relatively little sign of maturation. The Semillon comes through more on the palate as the wine warms up slightly, revealing the melon and white peach. New oak is seamlessly integrated. Has the class to stand up to better white Graves. At least as good as the 2002 Cullen Chardonnay!
Score: 17.5/20
2003 SEMILLON SAUVIGNON BLANC
Producer: Cullen
Variety: Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend
Vintage: 2003
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
ABV: 14.0%
Price: N/a
Closure: Screw cap
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 12 October 2011
Tasting Note:
Melon and grapefruit pith, slightly honeyed edge. Quite round and full in the mouth, with the Semillon taking centre stage. High quality French oak is well integrated, adding spicy complexity on the finish. Maybe not quite as alluring or complex on the nose as the Sauvignon-driven 2002, but there’s plenty of pleasure to be had here. An outstanding food wine that provides a wonderful alternative to oaked Chardonnay.
Score: 17/20
Cullen is one producer that puts as much effort into its Semillon Sauvignon Blanc as its flagship Chardonnay and Diana Madeline Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend varies between being Semillon heavy and Sauvignon Blanc based from one year to another, depending on vintage conditions. The wine sees partial maturation in oak barrels, the oak contributing structure and complexity.
As evidenced by the 2002 and 2003 vintages, both tasted in the back end of 2011, this is a wine that can age beautifully. Sauvignon Blanc is to the fore in the 2002 (sealed under natural cork), with remarkably fresh Sauvignon characters of cut grass and nettles underpinned by the Semillon. It is drinking superbly now, but has time up its sleeve.
Te 2003 (sealed under screw cap) is Semillon-based and is showing some honeyed signs of maturity, the Sauvignon Blanc providing just a bit of lift. It’s not as complex as the 2002 and it’s a bit more advanced, but there’s plenty of pleasure to be had. All in all, this is a wine to be sought out and cellared for a minimum of 5 years.
2002 SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLONProducer: Cullen
Variety: Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend
Vintage: 2002
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
ABV: 14.0%
Price: N/a
Closure: Cork
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 29 September 2011
Tasting Note:
Greenish yellow in colour. Very fresh nose of cut grass, nettles and dill together with white peach, relatively little sign of maturation. The Semillon comes through more on the palate as the wine warms up slightly, revealing the melon and white peach. New oak is seamlessly integrated. Has the class to stand up to better white Graves. At least as good as the 2002 Cullen Chardonnay!
Score: 17.5/20
2003 SEMILLON SAUVIGNON BLANC
Producer: Cullen
Variety: Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend
Vintage: 2003
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
ABV: 14.0%
Price: N/a
Closure: Screw cap
Format: 750ml
Date tasted: 12 October 2011
Tasting Note:
Melon and grapefruit pith, slightly honeyed edge. Quite round and full in the mouth, with the Semillon taking centre stage. High quality French oak is well integrated, adding spicy complexity on the finish. Maybe not quite as alluring or complex on the nose as the Sauvignon-driven 2002, but there’s plenty of pleasure to be had here. An outstanding food wine that provides a wonderful alternative to oaked Chardonnay.
Score: 17/20
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