It's the signature grape of the Hunter Valley, but not one we've had a lot of experience with prior to our visit here. The big revelation for us as semillon novices was how well it ages over a 20+ year life in the bottle, as we learned thanks to the flight tastings we did at a couple of cellar doors, including Tyrell's Wines and Audrey Wilkinson. Dry and citrusy and with almost no color in its early years, often with some acidity, and yet still not tasting like the similar-in-appearance sauvignon blancs we're more familiar with. Remaining dry as it ages, but much softer and more well-rounded, with a beautiful gold color that looks like a big, bland, buttery chardonnay - but fortunately doesn't taste like it, with much more subtle and complex flavorings.
Yum. Maybe they'll have some at the Teeter!
Posted by: Jim | July 03, 2009 at 11:06 AM