Vat 1 Hunter Valley Semillon

See previous Delectable note in December 2024. Amazingly pale for a 14 year old white. Aromatics of lemon, lanolin and wet straw. It hasn’t yet developed the toasty characters I was expecting, indicating still a long life ahead. Overall this is delicate on a light bodied leanish palate. Only 11% ABV. Lovers of big buttery Chardonnay may not appreciate this wine. 3 bottles left - I will try and have the next one in 12 to 18 months.

A mid straw yellow in colour. Aromas are lemon and lime, lemongrass, mineral, wet hay with toastiness and lanolin starting to emerge at 13 years of age. Light bodied but great intensity - a richer texture for a Semillon, bearing in mind that this wine sees no oak at all - stainless steel all the way. Only 11% alcohol. Luckily I have 4 bottles left - a cellar life extending to 2030+.

Stunning Hunter Sem at it’s peak. Ticks all the boxes. Great wine with another 5-10 years left under it’s belt. 👌🏽❤️

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.

Incredibly pale for a 10 year old wine. Delicate aromas - grassy, mineral and a touch of honey. On the palate a soapy lanolin waxy like texture which is putting on weight as it ages (like the rest of us😉😎). Finishes with soft cleansing citric acid. A great year in the Hunter unlike the rest of Australia with the exception of WA. At 10 years of age still in its youth with up to 10 years still in front of it.

Buddha’s hand citrus, lots of crushed rock, flint, chalk on the nose. Such an interesting expression, green grass on the palate which is very tart and crisp with just a hint of butterriness. Super herbal, very dry finish so this seems austere at first but its pleasures creep up on you as you keep coming back for more. Structure is evident though it’s just started to take on volume.

Annual Boy’s Trip away - this time to Cairns. At a BYO Indian Restaurant. No formal notes. Hunter Valley Semillon from a good year which could still go for another 10 years. Trademark waxy lanolin, wet hay notes. Such purity on the palate.

Vegetal radish, tart citrus, prominent minerality, slightly oily texture. High acid, low alcohol, light body. Classic.

Alive, complex, but lacking the joy factor
Past its peak

I don’t drink this wine nearly enough!