Tasting Notes

On the nose the herbaceous fruit characters are still strong, but there is more complexity now with spicy, charred overtones from the barrels. The aging process has also produced a character of ripe figs. The palate show good length of flavour, with fruit and oak in neat combination, fresh acidity, and a gentle tannin finish. It drinks well now, but those interested in seeing it reach its full potential should cellar the wine for about 5-7 years.

Reviews: December 1990 issue of Decanter said the following of the 1985 Moss Wood wood-matured Semillon, this is a rich and deeply flavoured dry white, very nicely defined by oak. Its generosity, harmonious proportions, complexity and length made us feel it was on a par with a grand cru Burgundy.

British journal Wine in March 1988 contained a review of the 1985 Moss Wood Semillon. Rich, sift, rather opulent…..A palpable hit…..Fleshy… enough peach to match the oak.

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Vintage Notes

After good spring rains and a mild summer, the new vintage is looking very promising indeed. The early varieties, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay look to be most successful, although the Semillon and Cabernet Sauvignon should run a close second. The highlight has been tremendously good acidity, with all the varieties and that should ensure wines with fine structures and lively fruit characters.

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Production Notes

The vintage was an exceptional one for this variety and characterised by tremendous herbaceous fruit characters. This added depth enabled us to age the wine in barrels for longer than previous vintages. Normally, we expect to give the Semillon about 2-3 months in cask, but with this release we extended that to 5 months. The result provides interesting drinking, for despite the extra wood the wine remains very much in balance.

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Cellaring Notes

It drinks well now, but those interested in seeing it reach its full potential should cellar the wine for about 5-7 years.