Anybody who has tasted the sensational 1989 Doisy-Védrines will want to snap up the equally good 2007 in an instant. As well as being one of the sweetest wines of the vintage it is exceptionally elegant and well-balanced. The nose is marked by intense, icy-cool tropical citrus while the rich yet fresh palate has wonderfully pure, sweet creamy pineapple fruit, plenty of botrytis and fine balancing acidity. The finish is incredibly long and precise. Made from 95% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Blanc, this is a magically sensual Sauternes at an outstanding price.
Semillon
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2019 Lovedale Semillon ‘1946 Vines’, Mount Pleasant
£4500Add to BasketMount Pleasant, based in the Hunter Valley, was established in 1921 by the legendary winemaker Maurice O’Shea, from 16.3 hectares of adjoining parcels of land, which he named Mount Pleasant.
Expressive aromas of lemon, lime and concentrated lemongrass are layered with delicate floral overtones. The perfectly balanced palate has gorgeous acidity providing drive and cut, with intense citrus notes found throughout.
O’Shea selected the Lovedale vineyard site on the flats of the Pokolbin region of the Hunter Valley in 1939. Unfortunately, the outbreak of the Second World War saw O’Shea’s plans curtailed as the land was reclaimed by the Australian Government for use as an emergency landing field as a part of the war effort. O’Shea eventually planted his first Semillon vines on the site in the spring of 1946. Over the years, Lovedale has proven to be another brilliant choice by Maurice O’Shea, as the sandy aggregate loam soils help to capture the perfect tightness and acidity for making quality Semillon. The vineyard is cultivated using sustainable techniques, such as employing mulch to nourish the vines and growing cover crops to increase the biodiversity in the soil. This sustainable approach has resulted in some of the healthiest vines on the estate in recent years; the vines have developed plentiful canopies which have assisted in preventing sunburn of the fruit. The grapes are hand-harvested at optimal maturity.
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2015 ILR Reserve Semillon, Brokenwood
£5495Add to BasketThis is, without a doubt, one of the best Semillons produced anywhere in the world. Consistently regarded as the definition of Semillon and it has the ability to age for decades.
At 6 years of age on release, the colour is just starting to show some development with yellow tints complimenting the green edges. Lifted lemon curd and floral notes heading to beeswax, brioche and toast. Lively lime juice, lime cordial characters are backed by a superb zesty acidity. The magic of Hunter Valley Semillon is on display with texture, fruit weight and great length from a wine that sees no oak. The ILR Reserve Semillon is only released from the best years and 2015 is a beauty. Drinking well now but will improve for many years to come.
The fruit for the 2015 ILR Reserve is sourced from Murphy’s Vineyard on Wilderness Road, on the banks of Black Creek in Lovedale.
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2014 Dolce, Far Niente
£9750Add to BasketDolce is Napa’s true Sauternes-style dessert wine. Dolce embraces the pursuit of perfection in the art of late harvest winemaking. Created in 1985 by the partners of Far Niente, Dolce stands as a standard-bearer for this type of wine in America. With a classic blend of late harvest Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc inspired by the Sauternes region, Dolce is the only American winery dedicated to producing a single late harvest wine.
After nearly three years in French oak, this luxurious vintage shows lifted and youthful aromas of orange zest, vanilla bean and butterscotch with subtle notes of minerality and oak-derived spices. The entry is juicy, and Dolce’s signature texture is lively and enduring on the palate leading to a mouthwatering finish. Flavours of orange, pear and dried apricot mingle together with rich caramel notes and hints of minerals that make this vintage a delicious expression of the season’s exceptional ripeness.
Dolce’s 20 acres of vineyard are located in Coombsville, east of the city of Napa, and are situated at the base of the Vaca Mountains, which define the eastern border of the valley. The volcanic soil is loose and well-drained, and the west-facing vineyard is protected from the prevailing winds so that the damp, morning fog of autumn (a very important factor in the development of Botrytis cinerea) hangs longer amongst the vines, often until midday. A combination of high humidity followed by drying conditions encourages, but does not guarantee, the growth of Botrytis. As it develops, its coverage is seemingly random with individual berries succumbing to Botrytis at different rates, if at all.
