Two Australian Christmas crackers

How do I love thee Australian Semillon?  Let me count the ways.  For dry, firm long lived styles, the Hunter Valley is, with good reason, the first port of call.  At the other end of the spectrum, look no further than de Bortoli Noble One for a botrytised dessert wine.  In Margaret River, you’ll typically find it cut with Sauvignon Bordeaux style – check out last week’s post here.  And the Barossa has some terrific old vine, “Ancient” even, examples.

Chateau Tanunda make a terrific example, sadly not sold here.  But fear not, said she, for I have another example which would grace the Christmas table with aplomb – for fish or fowl.  And a Pinot Noir from the same importer/retailer which would suit the turkey or my veggie alternative, the wild mushroom filo parcels I shall be eating on Christmas day.

Both wines were tastedon 5 October at Out The Box Young Wine Importers Tasting.  They are imported by The Knotted Vine.

David Franz Long Gully Semillon 2014 (Barossa)

I first came across this fine Barossa Semillon over lunch at Portland restaurant in January of this year.    David Franz is Peter Lehmann’s son. I mention it because his late father’s Reserve Semillon is named Margaret after Franz’s mum.  Like this wine, it tells you that Semillon is treated with a big fat dose of respect in this family.  The fruit – 129+ year old dry grown Madeira clone Semillon – was sourced from Steve and Rebecca Falland’s Long Gully Road Block in the foothills of the Eden Valley.  Following a long ferment on (un-stirred) lees this subtly textural (waxy), unoaked, lemony Semillon has a crushed stone/bony minerality.  A complexing hint of herbs and stone fruit (firm peach) too.  Lovely freshness, length and line.  £23.50 at The Good Wine Shop

Byrne Wines Pinot Noir 2014 (Ballarat)

This was my first taste from Byrne Wines and, quite possibly, Ballarat.  It has a cassis perfumed nose and palate with sweet blackcurrant, earthy beetroot and a good rub of suede.  I usually go for pretty, floral but structured styles of Pinot, however if you fancy a soft, round, long and luscious example, this is satisfying and characterful with plenty of flavour intensity.