WTN: Tulloch Semillon 2008 (Hunter Valley)

I have long been intrigued by Hunter Valley Semillons. Sadly, few have been available here, but what has been (and what Chris Hambleton kindly carried over some time back ) has been much to my taste. So now that one more became available, I of course had to try it. Though a depressing day when nothing should taste good, I did end up enjoying this very much even though it wasn't as great as the Mt. Pleasant or the Tulloch Julias I had previously tried (but this is also half the price of those...).

• J. Y. Tulloch Semillon 2008 - Australia, New South Wales, Hunter Valley (9/15/2009)
  10% abv; 6g/l RS; 6,9g/l acidity;10,05€; under Stelvin. Very light yellow. From the limited number of Hunter Valley Semillons I have had before, I think this follows the pattern. A strong scent of lime, lemongrass, green peas - generally a savoury scent of green aromas. Crisp, dry, unoaked, mineral and pure. It has a hard core of structure but it isn't a hard-core wine - rather it is very drinkable already, though I guess even these cheap, basic HV Semillons can take a few years of age? I liked this very much.

Posted from CellarTracker

Otto, thanks for posting this. Semillon gets very little respect sometimes!
These wines from Oz can be a minefield and one has to do lots of research/reading/checking in here to find out which wines are worth buying.
There is a recent Brookenwood Semillon here right now for $23, one for the kitchen countertop for sure!

I had this recently Otto and had pretty much the same experience. Lovely wine - and while it's not Mt. Pleasant or Vat 1, it's incredible value for the money (and something I wish I could buy a lot more of in the US).

Salil, did you think it might be one for the cellar?

Bob

Whilst the good ones need at least 10 years, I have yet to met a Semillon that wasn't better for at least a few years in the cellar.

Mark

[edited to make sense - thanks for the hint Bob]

Sorry Mark, are you saying a few years is max?

Sorry Mark, are you saying a few years is max?

Bob,

Semillon really does take quite a while to hit its straps. I am currently drinking the 2000 Mt Pleasant and the 1999 Vat 1. I tried a 2003 Keith Tulloch out of the cellar recently but it was still too sharp IMO. I doubt I will bother opening another for 2-3 years. I actually figure one needs a really decent amount in the cellar (ie >100) in order to have enough to let them reach their potential. [excuse #43 for buying more wine ]

Mark

No disagreements Mark, Hunter Semillon with a bit of age is always awesome... but I do love also having those wines right on release as they tend to have this almost Chablis-like precision and minerality when it's all primary green/citrus fruit and rocks.