Bob McDonald

9.4

Even though this wine is 27 years old I might have opened this a little early. This will cruise to its 40th birthday without a problem. This was the period when Hunter Valley decided to emulate the big ripe oaky styles of South Australia instead of sticking to the HV medium bodied savoury style which Maurice O’Shea himself pioneered back in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. A palate staining and concentrated palate of profound intensity with a black fruited perfume. An impressive wine but thankfully the Maurice O’Shea Shiraz of the last 10 to 15 years have returned to their medium bodied roots. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Dense Crimson in colour. The nose and palate on this full bodied red are more reminiscent of a South Australian Red than the medium bodied savoury style typical of the Hunter Valley. Just the faintest hint of HV sweat and earth. This showed rich ripe black currant with smooth tannins. It’s a pity there was a time when HV wines tried to mimic the SA styles which were more popular. This is an example of that. Quite a good wine but not true to its origins. Thankfully the main HV wineries have returned to their original style - think Mount Pleasant Maurice O’Shea, Brokenwood Graveyard and Tyrells Individual Paddocks. — 6 years ago

JeremyC

9.4

The last of these 12's. Was getting nervous it could be close to post peak but.....wow! Intense, balanced, complex acidity, oak, fruit. A wine that makes you consider qualities of Burg and Rhone tho this btl perhaps not AS MUCH as the last. Very old world in nature. Could hv waited but very happy to hv enjoyed it and shared. Wnehse. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Pale to mid Gold in colour. On opening an oxidative Sherry like smell which thankfully blew off. An example of an old white that needed decanting. After a few minutes a lovely lemon minerality wet sand bouquet. On the palate delicious lemony honeyed notes which had developed from the hay and lanolin of its youth. The thing about Hunter Valley Semillon is when it is young with its mouth searing acidity fermented in stainless steel it’s almost undrinkable but after 10 years it puts on weight and becomes this lovely honeyed creation. Skilled MWs in London when they were coming to grips with the style would swear there was Oak influence when there was none. Aged HV Semillon is one of the worlds great wines - an 18 year old Vat 1 is right up there. An excellent match with 12 fresh Coffin Bay (SA) Oysters on Good Friday. Only 11.2% Alcohol. — 8 years ago

Randall Pollard

9.1

Not Old Patch, but a cheaper wine, albeit very good. It's a non vineyard specific Shiraz from the best / or one of the best red vintages in the HV. — 9 years ago

LadyYammy Aussanee

9.4

U hv to try ^^ — 12 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

An entry level Semillon from Mount Pleasant. More user friendly and fruit forward without the acidity and austerity of their Flagship Semillon, Lovedale, at this age. Crisp with Citrus flavours. Thought I detected a little oak but not sure. Sometimes used in young HV Sem to make it more palatable. Would never be used in the Flagship - stainless steel all the way. From a good vintage in the Hunter. — 3 years ago

Christy

9.0

HV- Strawberry, sweet berry, and peppery notes., — 5 years ago

Joel Brunk

9.5

Loved this wine. Incredible minerality, bright fruit, interesting spice and exceptionally light body. Loved the red fruit on palate and nose.

Bought at favorite wine store in HV in SF — 6 years ago

JeremyC

9.2

First thought was if the color "purple " had a flavor this would be it. Got a bit more complex as we went further. Some delicate mineral type notes. Label says 13.6 alc and at first I LOVED the balance but the alc crept up later so now I wonder if a little BS on the alc . I like this wine and I'll also say its the first syr I've dug in a looooong time and makes me want to hv another. This is one of my last btls from the first bottling run at Roar in 2014. — 7 years ago

JeremyC

9.2

Blind. Would hv expected more acidity and minerality. Very floral and delicately lush at this most perfect temp. Yellowish fruits. Quite enjoyable!! Thanks mike! — 8 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.2

Killer old HV SHZ.
Holding it’s colour and length.
Menthol, tobacco and earth. — 9 years ago

with Robert and Anthony

JeremyC

9.6

Tasted this in the 7 Springs Vineyard sitting around the corner from where this fruit came from. 14's not released yet but this might hv been my fav wine from the trip to Ore. Could hv been convinced I was somewhere in Burg with this one. Really impressive! !! Disappointed I couldn't bring any home. Sadface.... — 10 years ago

with Lee

JeremyC

9.3

2020in 5/22. Stellar grab from Garagiste for $12 to fill the case. Should hv done a case! Trebbiano, passerina, chard. 12.5% great aromatics. Looking forward for the pecorino! — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

See several previous tasting notes for this wine. This was made back in the day when Hunter Valley reds had strayed from their medium bodied, savoury, sweaty saddle origins to being riper and more full bodied like a South Australian Red. This was declared in a speech by Chief Winemaker at the time, Jim Chatto, at a dinner I attended at the winery. Also plenty of oak still evident at 15 years of age. I prefer the original Hunter Valley style which Mount Pleasant has wisely reverted to utilising the wonderful old vine fruit at its disposal. Tasted again 35 weeks later on 26th March 2022. Nothing to add to the note here. A Hunter Valley wine trying to look like a South Australian wine back in 2006 with ripe fruit and oak. Thankfully HV reds have returned to the medium weight savoury long living style that Maurice O’Shea made in the 1950’s. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

At the Peter Lehmann Dinner at the Downs Club. Interesting to compare this top quality Barossa Semillon with the Hunter Valley style. These are more approachable young (from the warm valley floor) than the searing acidity of young HV Semillon. Soapy lanolin nose with notes of beeswax and a blue cheese component. Fuller on the palate than HV Sems. Zero oak influence. Very good. We also had the 2010 of this wine but I didn’t get a photo unfortunately. It had more lanolin, wet straw and beeswax than the 2012 with at least another 5 years in front of it. Giving it 95 points and a Gold Medal. The 2005 is still winning Trophies at Wine Shows around the country. — 7 years ago

Amit Srivastava

8.9

As the reviews from others hv stated, this is a smooth and medium bodied wine. Merlot based! — 8 years ago

Erik Hanson

9.5

I’ve been wanting to try HV Semillon for a long time. First I’ve seen in Portland. Love it. Fresh, zip zap acidity. Maybe a little RS. Semillon waxy body and finish. A little high toned savoriness too. — 8 years ago

Tony Simonetta

8.9

Raisins, dried red fruit, hv tannin , med finish — 9 years ago

Francis Wilden

Director Francis Wilden Food & Wine Consulting

8.9

2001 vintage and still w characteristic petite Syrah impenetrability. Worth keeping another 5-10 years if u hv any. — 11 years ago