A nice walk followed by Semillon
We took advantage of our child-free status to walk in the countryside. The walk? One of the Guardian's series on British walks, this one in the Oxfordshire countryside focusing on the white horse of Uffington - here. It was really enjoyable, and the directions were clear and unambiguous. We completed the 10 mile route in 3.5 hours, and for most of the way RTL could be let off the lead. 
Tonight's wine? An Australian Semillon, but not from the Hunter Valley. Hunter Semillons are one of Australia's unique contributions to the fine wine scene: they're low in alcohol, high in acidity, and start out life neutral but age into a beautiful toasty maturity. Now this is an exception. It's a top Semillon but it comes from the Barossa.Peter Lehmann Margaret Barossa Semillon 2002 Barossa, Australia
A wonderfully intense unoaked Semillon that's different to the classic Hunter style, but has some similarities, too. Powerful, minerally, limey nose with wax and herb notes. The palate is intensely limey with some toasty, honeyed richness. Taut, crisp and citrussy with a grippy, savoury finish. Drinking beautifully now but will probably improve. 92/100 (£11.99 retail, 12% alcohol)
A wonderfully intense unoaked Semillon that's different to the classic Hunter style, but has some similarities, too. Powerful, minerally, limey nose with wax and herb notes. The palate is intensely limey with some toasty, honeyed richness. Taut, crisp and citrussy with a grippy, savoury finish. Drinking beautifully now but will probably improve. 92/100 (£11.99 retail, 12% alcohol)
posted by Jamie @ 9:49 PM
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3 Comments:
Its already 7 years old! And from the Barossa. Do you really think Australian white wine can live much longer then this?
Australian semillon's built to age will do ten years in a canter, including those from the Barossa (Lehmann, Bethany, for example). Some Hunter's will be on the improve for longer than that, and can hold for longer still.
Australian rieslings, from Clare, Eden or some of the Victorian regions can be even more long-lived than Hunter semillon.
And the Tahbilk marsanne, from the Nagambie Lakes region in Victoria, is another Australian white built for cellaring. I usually buy a case a year, have a couple young, and then the rest between 5 and 10 years after vintage, though good vintages will go longer than that. Texture and honeysuckle as aged wines, and for a tick over $10 a bottle here.
Tahbilk marsanne is available in the UK at Sainsbury's, for £9.99: http://bit.ly/MgvF0
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