Tyrrell's 'Lost Block' Semillon

[Mahmoud Ali]

2002 Tyrrell's Lost Block' Semillon, Hunter Valley, (10.5%)

With the exception of the bigger brands, there are few Australian semillons available here in Canada. Nevertheless, having tasted a few older semillons in Australia (1986 Elizabeth Museum Release, 1988 Woodstock Semillon), I decided to experiment with a few of these commercial semillons. One of them was a Tyrrell's 'Lost Block' that I bought many years ago. I had forgotten about this wine untill I went looking for a Brokenwood semillon I had brought back from Australia. That was when I spotted the Tyrrell's. It was in a burgundy bottle and the level looked a bit low. So I brought it home and put it in the fridge.

Tonight we baked chicken legs lightly spiced with rosemary and I decided to match it with the Lost Block. Despite it being 15 years old, the colour was a very light yellow, barely showing it's age. The nose exhibited honeyed
, waxy lanolin, and a hint of green bean. The palate was dry and fresh, with lots of acidity and nary a hint of age. It was a bit short in length but very satisfyingly. My partner suspected a sauvignon blanc-based Bordeaux. Overall, a very nice outcome for an inexpensive experiment. Buy semillon, cellar it if you like the style.

For the record, the back label states: "Upon release this wine will be drinking superbly, but it will develop gracefully for a further five years."

Cheers ..................... Mahmoud.

[Bobthebuilder]

I love it when a bottle shines multiples of years past that recommendation!
Mahmoud, assuming it was cork based on the level?

[Mahmoud Ali]

I love it when a bottle shines multiples of years past that recommendation!
Mahmoud, assuming it was cork based on the level?

Yes, it was cork stoppered, as is most of my Australian wines. Overall, I have not had any cork problems, even the whites.

[sjw_11]

That gives me confidence on the 2009 Lost Block I have lost somewhere in the cellar!

[Waiters Friend]

Nice one, Mahmoud.

As many people will know (after many posts on the Mt Pleasant Elizabeth) I've had no shortage of relatively inexpensive Hunter Semillon over the years (with 5-20 years on them) and rarely been disappointed. My consumption slowed in recent years, but I'm becoming inspired to return to Hunter Semillon.

Cheers
Allan