Semillon is one of Australia’s foundation grape varieties, an important part of our viticultural heritage. Typically, we associate Semillon with the long-lived, early picked unoaked wines of the Hunter Valley. There are also good examples, albeit broader in shape, to be found in the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Margaret River.
Heathcote is not the first place one would look for a decent bottle of Semillon. However, Ian ‘Bomber’ Rathjen and the team at Whistling Eagle have produced an absolute beauty. The first thing to say is that this bears little comparison to Hunter Semillon.
Yes, there are typical varietal characters – lemon zest and a hint of lanolin – but this is fuller, richer and broader than Hunter Valley examples. There are also notes of candied lemon peel and ginger lending an exotic twist. This is a dinner table wine, not a wine one would choose to drink on its own. It was a near perfect match with a Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Quince.
2015 WHISTLING EAGLE SEMILLON
Producer: Whistling Eagle
Variety: Semillon
Region: Heathcote, Victoria
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $30.00
Date tasted: 22 September 2017
Tasting Note:
Greenish yellow. Interesting nose of candied lemon peel, stem ginger and lemon blossom. Dry, medium bodied, finely tuned. Lemon, lime and ground ginger – exotic in feel. Near perfect foil for a chicken tagine with preserved lemon.
Score: 16.5/20
Heathcote is not the first place one would look for a decent bottle of Semillon. However, Ian ‘Bomber’ Rathjen and the team at Whistling Eagle have produced an absolute beauty. The first thing to say is that this bears little comparison to Hunter Semillon.
Yes, there are typical varietal characters – lemon zest and a hint of lanolin – but this is fuller, richer and broader than Hunter Valley examples. There are also notes of candied lemon peel and ginger lending an exotic twist. This is a dinner table wine, not a wine one would choose to drink on its own. It was a near perfect match with a Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Quince.
2015 WHISTLING EAGLE SEMILLONProducer: Whistling Eagle
Variety: Semillon
Region: Heathcote, Victoria
ABV: 13.5%
Closure: Screw cap
Retail Price: $30.00
Date tasted: 22 September 2017
Tasting Note:
Greenish yellow. Interesting nose of candied lemon peel, stem ginger and lemon blossom. Dry, medium bodied, finely tuned. Lemon, lime and ground ginger – exotic in feel. Near perfect foil for a chicken tagine with preserved lemon.
Score: 16.5/20
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