TASTING NOTES FOR Tower Estate Semillon Hunter Valley New South Wales 2015
🍷 Appearance
Bright golden straw with attractive pale gold highlights, reflecting the graceful development of this mature Hunter Valley Semillon. Clear and brilliant in the glass, displaying an appealing depth of colour and elegance.
👃 Aromas
Beautifully developed and inviting, with complex aromas of preserved lemon, citrus peel and ripe green apple. Attractive notes of toasted brioche, honeycomb and roasted nuts add richness, while subtle hints of lanolin, beeswax and gentle minerality reflect the classic characteristics of aged Hunter Valley Semillon.
👅 Palate
Elegant, refined and wonderfully complex, delivering layered flavours of preserved lemon, lime marmalade and ripe citrus fruits. Delicate notes of honey, toasted bread and roasted almonds add depth, while the hallmark acidity of Hunter Valley Semillon provides freshness, structure and excellent balance. The combination of mature secondary characters and lingering citrus flavours creates a beautifully harmonious and sophisticated palate.
🍈 Texture & Finish
Light to medium-bodied with a smooth, gently rounded texture developed through bottle ageing. The finish is long, elegant and persistent, with lingering citrus, delicate toast, honeyed notes and a subtle mineral character. Refreshing acidity provides a lovely sense of freshness despite the wine’s maturity.
🍇 Overall Style
A classic mature Hunter Valley Semillon showcasing the remarkable ageing potential of this celebrated Australian wine style. Originally youthful, crisp and citrus-driven, the wine has developed greater complexity, richness and texture with time. An elegant and sophisticated white wine combining delicate fruit, attractive toasty characters and beautifully balanced acidity.
🍽️ Food Pairing
An excellent accompaniment to freshly shucked oysters, grilled prawns, pan-seared scallops and roasted barramundi. Equally enjoyable with roast chicken, smoked salmon, creamy seafood pasta, lobster, soft cheeses or delicate Asian-inspired dishes. The wine’s developed complexity also makes it particularly enjoyable alongside richer seafood preparations.
🥂 BBD Verdict
A wonderful example of the ageing potential of Hunter Valley Semillon from Tower Estate. With more than a decade of bottle development, the 2015 vintage offers the prospect of attractive toasted, honeyed and citrus characters, complemented by the refreshing acidity that makes mature Hunter Valley Semillon so distinctive. An excellent choice for wine enthusiasts who appreciate the elegance and complexity of aged Australian white wines. A fascinating addition to any mixed or straight dozen from Better Buy The Dozen.
Cheers
Peter Turnbull
Better Buy The Dozen 🍷