Older Semillon

Generally, though not always, Barossa semillons don't age that well and tend towards coarseness. Hunter semillons on the other hand....I still have a couple of bottles of Draytons 7038, (1970). This wine is still drinking superbly. Lindemans semillons from a good year will last a long time.

Ron Lel

I seldom see Semillon from California where I live, but I have been told that California Semillon was more popular in the era shortly after WWII. I believe Wente made quite a bit of Semillon from Livermore-grown grapes in those days that was distributed throughout the US. But Semillon does have the potential for making long-lived wines in the right regions, especially when made in a late harvest style. After all, Semillon is the major grape used for Yquem. I also have read that, in the old days, some Australian Semillon was called Riesling. Unfortunately I do not see many of the better Australian Semillons in my area.

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What *are* some of the better Aussie semillons? (These would be the ones that repay cellaring)

Mark S

Mark S. asks: "What *are* some of the better Aussie semillons? (These would be the ones that repay cellaring)"

I have had too little experience with Australian Semillon to give a personal recomendation for a good one to cellar. Hugh Johnson claims that the Hunter Valley region in New South Wales can produceSemillons that can last for 30 years. Johnson however cautions that the traditonal Hunter Valley Semillon is made without oak and is extremey long lived, but now many are made in an oaky Chardonnay substitute style. In his

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As I've already posted. Lindemans bin wines are excellent. Also very good are Brokenwood, McWilliams Lovedale and Elisabeth, the latter being very good value. Consistently a top wine is Tyrrells Vat 1, though this may be hard to get in the States.

Stony Hill in California occasionally makes an excellent dessert semillon, I think its Semillon d'Soleil. Its not D'Yquem but the one's I tasted should last for about 20 years.

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. After all, Semillon is the

No, it was actually called "Hunter River Riesling", not "riesling".

Ron Lel

I found two Semillons in Decanter's December issue that included a brief listing of 4000 of their wine reviews in 2004. These likely are not 30 year wines, but they might make good drinking now and for a few years.

Belgravia, Late Harvest Semillon, Orange 2002, 375 ml, 7.25 Pounds, 4 out of 5 stars rating. Most likely a rather sweet wine.

Peter Lehmann Semillon, Barossa 2002, 5.49 Pounds, 4 out of 5 star rating. It looks as if they found a real bargin here.

Both of these wines were available in the UK, but I have no idea what their distribution may have been elsewhere.

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Orange is a comparatively new area, producing some decent wines. The Lehmann wine - a Barossa semillon, is one I would not keep for more than 4-5 years max. Look for Hunter semillons. Alternatively come to Australia and drink mine.

Ron

Tyrells also have a less expensive age worthy Semillon called The Belford. The 97 picked up a swag of awards, and is really beginning to show those classic Hunter aged Sem traits.

As much as I criticise the Rosemount 'mass production' philosophy, I cannot knock their Show Reserve Hunter Semillons, (currently drinking the '95), which are released at about 5 years old (iirc).

Steve Hoff (Barossa) makes a delightful Semillon, under his Heritage Wines label. Made to drink younger, it is the closest I have had from SA that does tatste like an aged Sem. The colour is unique, as it is relatively golden colour at such a youthful age.

Regards...Swooper