Aussie Semillon including Uleybury’s dreamy Show Reserve Semillon 2002

I’ve had a really fantastic run with Australian Semillon lately – vertical tastings of McWilliams Mount Pleasant Lovedale and Tyrrells Vat 1 Semillon – classic Hunter Valley wines, gold in hue and quality!  When they attain that golden hue is when they deliver most bang for buck – greater complexity, greater palate weight (see my report of the vertical here).

And “dreamy” features in my tasting notes (a first, by the way) for Uleybury Show Reserve Semillon 2002 from South Australia’s Mount Lofty region.  This gold medal bedecked wine (pictured with a bigger gold necklace than Mr T!) is made with estate grown fruit from vines planted on clay over limestone slopes at 260m.  Cooled by afternoon sea breezes, though dripping with rich lemon butter/curd on nose and waxy palate, the wine is cut with zesty lime which brings balance and persistence, making for an extended finish with subtle hints of nuts, lanolin and honey.  As I said dreamy!  

There’s lots more to come on the Semillon front.  This time next week I’ll be attending a presentation about Australian Semillon at the Landmark Tutorial presented by young gun Andrew Thomas of Thomas Wines in the Hunter Valley.  The following week I visit Andrew and will also attend Brokenwood’s 40th Anniversary weekend celebrations.  They plan to show every wine they’ve ever made, so it’s fair to say awesome might just be an understatement for this event! Anyway, will keep you posted as I make my way across Victoria and New South Wales over the next 3 weeks, Semillon and the rest. 

Tweeps can keep abreast of Landmark Tutorials and share their thoughts via #LAT10.