Masterclass: Semillon, presented by Andrew Thomas

Semillon Andrew Thomas 22 nd September, 2010 Landmark Australia Tutorial

Semillon production 2008 Region Tonnes Barossa Valley 6842 Clare Valley 843 Hunter Valley 4270 Margaret River 6136 Murray Darling 12960 SA Riverland 11210 Riverina 44038 Rest of Australia 12220 TOTAL AUSTRALIA 98519

White Varietal intake (tonnes) by vintage 2010 2008 2006 Chardonnay 315,000 444,000 423,000 Semillon 76,000 99,000 97,000 Sauvignon Blanc 76,000 66,000 42,000

Regional climatic comparisons Lower Hunter Barossa Clare Valley Margaret River Latitude 32° 50’ S 34° 29’ S 33° 52’ S 33° 57’ S HDD (Oct – Apr) 2070 1590 1576 1690 Mean Jan Temp 22.7 21.2 21.5 20.4 Annual Rainfall (mm) 740 504 632 1130 Oct –Apr (mm) 530 220 245 274 RH (Oct Apr 3pm) 49% 39% 36% 59%

Long history of consistent style
Low alcohol 9.5% to 11.5%, no oak, long aging potential.
Vagaries of cork ruined many – Screwcap since early 2000’s
Young wines – grassy, cut hay/straw, lemongrass/lime juice, tightly structured acidity. Can be snow pea/herbaceaous
Aged wines – honey, toasty, almond bread, vanillin, lanolin oak-like.
Notable producers – too many to single out
Regional Characteristics – Semillon Hunter Valley

Various styles produced.
Older styles barrel fermented, higher alcohol 13% +.
Modern styles – selected vineyards, lower alcohols 11-12%, less or no oak.
Similar range of flavour/aroma profiles to Hunter except less of the citrus spectrum.
Bees wax and ‘weight’ in front palate.
Notable producers - Peter Lehmann, The Willows Vineyard, Burge Family Winemakers, Rockford Wines, Kaesler, Tim Adams, Mitchell Winery, Mount Horrocks
Regional Characteristics – Semillon Barossa Valley + Clare Valley

Majority of Semillon blended with Sauvignon Blanc
Hard to get flavour at low sugar therefore often 13-14% alc.
Higher sugar increase in herbaceous (methoxypyrazine) character.
Fruit characters more in tropical fruit salad spectrum
Most include barrel fermented/matured component
Notable producers – Vasse Felix, Mosswood, Xanadu, Juniper Estate, Voyager Estate
Regional Characteristics – Semillon Margaret River

Large volumes of Semillon produced
Most notable wines are the Botrytis affected desert wine styles
Majority balance high yielding destined for entry level/cask
Notable producers (Sweet wines) - DeBortoli Wines, Lillypilly Estate, Westend Estate
Regional Characteristics – Semillon Inland Regions

2010 Phat Wine Co. ‘Hart and Hunter’ Semillon (Hunter Valley)
2009 Thomas Wines ‘Braemore’ Semillon (Hunter Valley)
2009 Tim Adams Semillon (Clare Valley)
2009 Vasse Felix Semillon (Margaret River)
2009 Brokenwood Semillon (Hunter Valley)
2008 Peter Lehmann Semillon (Barossa Valley)
2005 Tyrrell’s ‘Belford’ Semillon (Hunter Valley)
2005 Peter Lehmann ‘Margaret’ Semillon (Barossa Valley)
2005 Mount Pleasant ‘Lovedale’ Semillon (Hunter Valley)
Bracket One The Current State of Play

2010 Tyrrell’s ‘Vat 1’ Semillon
2003 Tyrrell’s ‘Vat 1’ Semillon (Screwcap)
2003 Tyrrell’s ‘Vat 1’ Semillon (Cork)
Bracket Two The ‘Metamorphosis’ of Hunter Valley Semillon

1986 Tyrrell’s ‘Futures’ Semillon
1977 Rothbury Estate ‘Black Label’ Semillon
Bracket Three A Couple of Older Gems……….

Masterclass: Semillon, presented by Andrew Thomas

by Lucy Anderson on Sep 21, 2010

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Masterclass: Semillon, presented by Andrew Thomas — Presentation Transcript

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