A treat to have 2 of Australia’s leading whites as in the Art Series Chardonnay and now the Lovedale Semillon both from 2011. Ironically 2011 was an awful vintage in nearly all of Australia except for Margaret River and the Hunter Valley. This highly awarded old Semillon had aromas of Lanolin, buttered toast with wet straw. All the descriptors of quality aged Semillon. A sweetish palate with a soapy texture. Perfectly balanced with acid diminishing. You can see how UK MWs would swear in the earlier days that these Semillons had been put to wood. They know now that they only ever see stainless steel. — 2 years ago
Aromas of lemon myrtle developing toasty notes. The palate showing that waxy lanolin texture you see in aged Hunter Valley Semillon - they put on palate weight as they age. Still retaining that zippy citric acid. Pros in the UK often swore that these aged Semillons saw oak maturation but the reality is that only stainless steel is involved. This is the 2nd of 8 in my cellar. I believe that good Hunter Valley Semillon should only be approached after 10 years. This will age until the late 2020s. Had another bottle 94 weeks later on 6 January 2024. Still very lemony with a long life to go. Exceptional Semillon. — 3 years ago
Pale lemon with aromas of stone and tropical fruits. Made from 40-year old vines, aged in 100% stainless steel. On the palate flavors of bright lemon citrus with crisp apple and peach notes. This medium-body wine has crisp acidity, good balance and nice mouthfeel, smooth long finish ending with creamy mineral texture. Very Nice! — 3 months ago
Haven’t sipped this in quite awhile. 375ml to refresh my palate memory.
40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier. Varietals fermented separately in stainless steel vats. 5 to 10% of wine is vinified in old Burgundy oak barrels.
Texture is round and elegant. The fruits are; both peach, mango, apricots, slightly oxidative white citrus-lime hovers the edges & pineapple juice. Nougat, marzipan, toasted nuts, brioche, saline, crushed chalk, white spice that presses into the palate, notes of cheese cloth, limestone marl, moist, pulpy, grey volcanic minerals, yellow lilies with spring white flowers, jasmine blooms, round, soft acidy and a well; balanced, structured & tensioned finish that lands squarely on mid minerality and lasts 90 seconds.
Photos; Charles Heidsieck signage, Charles Heidsieck, chalky tasting area in their cellar and Cote de Blanc vineyard. — 9 months ago
Well balanced, hints of under-ripe fruit — maybe melon and pear. Tastes like Chardonnay grape. Finish is interesting and slightly metallic. Quite nice, an unexpected surprise. — 3 months ago
Excellent, bold and full bodied. Complex, smoky and dry. Enjoyed very much with steak — 5 months ago
Deep enticing golden color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits and nutty spice, aged for 12 months in steel tanks. On the palate of this Verdicchio, flavors of apple, pineapple and pear with floral citrus notes. Medium+ finish ending with toasty nutty character. Nice value! — 2 years ago
This medium-dry, tannic, not-too-acidic Sav Blanc was aged in steel. Nose of honeysuckle, pear, lychee; flavors feature more tart fruit than citrus. — 3 years ago
Jamie Lauder
2022 vintage.
100 % Chardonnay in stainless steel.
No oak. This is not Château 2 by 4.
Very Chablis like.
Bright Macintosh, Gala, Cosmic Crisp, green apples and almond with a laser beam of acidity on the crisp, fresh finish. Your friends who hate Chardonnay….please pour them a glass of this. — a month ago