You don’t get much more of an ‘Australian classic’ than Hunter Valley Semillon; early picked, unoaked, light in alcohol and ageworthy, Hunter Semillon is one of a kind. Lovedale is one of the great labels when it comes to the style. At 15 years from vintage, it’s a wine that should be hitting its stride.
A bottle was duly uncorked on a Saturday evening. The wine poured a bright golden yellow, evidencing bottle age. The nose displayed great complexity, grilled nuts, lemon pith, acacia and beeswax, reflected on the medium bodied palate.
This particular bottle was in excellent condition, showing this great wine at the peak of its power. In contrast to the stereotype of Australian wine, this is a wine that is about nuance, finesse and subtlety. While Australian Chardonnay has come a long way in the past decade, and Riesling has its charms, we shouldn’t forget Hunter Valley Semillon, one of Australia’s gifts to the wine world.
1998 MOUNT PLEASANT LOVEDALE SEMILLON
Producer: McWilliams Wines
Variety: Semillon
Vintage: 1998
Region: Hunter Valley
ABV: 11.5%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: N/a
Date tasted: 9 March 2013
Tasting Note:
Bright golden yellow, suggesting development. Complex nose of beeswax, grilled hazelnuts, brazil nut, mace, acacia, lemon pith. Dry, medium bodied, well balanced acidity, slightly nutty, lemon pith, slightly cheesy (in a good way). In some ways, the wine is not too dissimilar to a mature dry Loire Chenin Blanc. A good bottle enjoyed at its peak.
Score: 18/20
A bottle was duly uncorked on a Saturday evening. The wine poured a bright golden yellow, evidencing bottle age. The nose displayed great complexity, grilled nuts, lemon pith, acacia and beeswax, reflected on the medium bodied palate.
This particular bottle was in excellent condition, showing this great wine at the peak of its power. In contrast to the stereotype of Australian wine, this is a wine that is about nuance, finesse and subtlety. While Australian Chardonnay has come a long way in the past decade, and Riesling has its charms, we shouldn’t forget Hunter Valley Semillon, one of Australia’s gifts to the wine world.
1998 MOUNT PLEASANT LOVEDALE SEMILLON Producer: McWilliams Wines
Variety: Semillon
Vintage: 1998
Region: Hunter Valley
ABV: 11.5%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: N/a
Date tasted: 9 March 2013
Tasting Note:
Bright golden yellow, suggesting development. Complex nose of beeswax, grilled hazelnuts, brazil nut, mace, acacia, lemon pith. Dry, medium bodied, well balanced acidity, slightly nutty, lemon pith, slightly cheesy (in a good way). In some ways, the wine is not too dissimilar to a mature dry Loire Chenin Blanc. A good bottle enjoyed at its peak.
Score: 18/20
1 comment:
Whoa... High marks (for a Semillon). Nice note though!
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