The Auswine Forum

The current release Vat 1, is 2005. I tasted this at the Sydney RAS show last year, and my comment was "Perfect". I should buy more.
I love having lots of semillon sealed with screwcap in the cellar. Gives me that warm feeling, over cork sealed ones.

sjw_11 wrote:I always though Viognier was the red wine drinkers whites because the phenolics are most reminiscent of tannin structure?

Well, I don't know about the phenolics, but most of the Viognier I have tasted tastes as though the best way of storing it is in a cask, or in the ground .

Brucer wrote: Some say that semillon is the red wine drinkers white wine, and I would agree with that.

Sorry Brucer, I'd have to disagree. Chardonnay (and I mean real, oaked chardonnay, not this unwooded SB lookalike) would have to be the red drinker's white.

Semillon (and viognier, for that matter) are generally unoaked and develop in an entirely different fashion

I cheated a bit, and googled "red drinkers white" and came up with this.......

“In the Barossa we always refer to it as the red wine drinkers white wine because of its upfront flavour and texture. But for some reason consumers don’t seem to understand straight Semillon. Maybe it is a bit one-dimensional or they are hooked on Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.

This is written by Grant Burge.

Waiters Friend wrote:

Brucer wrote: Some say that semillon is the red wine drinkers white wine, and I would agree with that.

Sorry Brucer, I'd have to disagree. Chardonnay (and I mean real, oaked chardonnay, not this unwooded SB lookalike) would have to be the red drinker's white.

Semillon (and viognier, for that matter) are generally unoaked and develop in an entirely different fashion

Well I think this is a bit of a difficult game we are playing here. What sort of red drinker, and what sort of red?

I understand the reason for picking semillon; the best of them have a weight and complexity as they age which appeals in the same way as an aged, cool-climate syrah, cabernet, or pinot.

On the other hand, a big Australian chardonnay might have, in theory, something in common with a big Australian shiraz, and might age in something which could be called a similar way.

I would call myself a red drinker, predominantly. Yet some of the most memorable wines I have had have been whites, and they might be any variety. For instance, as I said in another thread, the Lovedale Semillon 1986. And, many years ago, before I paid too much attention to vintages, an aged Bannockburn chardonnay which was out of this world.

One semillon and one chardonnay. Both red drinker's whites, or at least this red drinkers.

And, from the Grape Mates tasting, I could add the Cloudy Bay Te Koko, an oaked sauvignon blanc.

I made a comment recently somewhere that 2010 Mount Pleasant Elizabeth had some sauvignon blanc in it.
This was confirmed yesterday, by a staff member.....it has 8% SB in it.
The idea is to make it more attractive to the SB young drinking crowd.

orpheus wrote:

Waiters Friend wrote:

Brucer wrote: Some say that semillon is the red wine drinkers white wine, and I would agree with that.

Sorry Brucer, I'd have to disagree. Chardonnay (and I mean real, oaked chardonnay, not this unwooded SB lookalike) would have to be the red drinker's white.

Semillon (and viognier, for that matter) are generally unoaked and develop in an entirely different fashion

Well I think this is a bit of a difficult game we are playing here. What sort of red drinker, and what sort of red?

I understand the reason for picking semillon; the best of them have a weight and complexity as they age which appeals in the same way as an aged, cool-climate syrah, cabernet, or pinot.

On the other hand, a big Australian chardonnay might have, in theory, something in common with a big Australian shiraz, and might age in something which could be called a similar way.

I would call myself a red drinker, predominantly. Yet some of the most memorable wines I have had have been whites, and they might be any variety. For instance, as I said in another thread, the Lovedale Semillon 1986. And, many years ago, before I paid too much attention to vintages, an aged Bannockburn chardonnay which was out of this world.

One semillon and one chardonnay. Both red drinker's whites, or at least this red drinkers.

And, from the Grape Mates tasting, I could add the Cloudy Bay Te Koko, an oaked sauvignon blanc.

Yeah, it's hard for Semillon to be a red wine drinker's white because you just don't see straight semillon out there...not globally...not out of NSW...It's even hard to find it IN NSW sometimes...

I have heard people refer to both Chard and Viognier in that aspect but I can see why an AGED (which is key) Semillon might fall in there as well.....


As far as the Elizabeth having SB now..That's a bit of a shame really. I think they already sell a SB/Sem blend which is relatively popular (in general) as an easy to drink white. I'm a bit disappointed in Elizabeth Sems lately anyways...the last 2005 I had was really flat and last 2002 I had was pure acid...I'm not sure what is going on with the Elizabeth but it's basically off my list...

I don't see any way Semillons gain popularity unless they start releasing them always as aged..which we see with some of the better Semillons but I think it needs to happen across the board...You can always give people the option but young sems are just not catching on....

Then again, why should I complain...better for me if it's not that popular...

They used to only release the Elizabeth aged.

It has always been a favourite with the wine critics, and it is great value, but it has never been a patch on the Lovedale, IME.

I won't buy Elizabeth any longer...just not a great Sem anymore which is a shame...Maybe at 13 dollars it's not a bad buy but I'd rather spend a little more and get something a lot better...

Mt Pleasant Elizabeth used to be a very nice wine when it was released five years after vintage, depending on the cork. Haven't bought it for quite a few years now. Peter Lehmann and Tahbilk semillons are my more recent purchases but haven't bought either of them for several years either.

The 05 Elizabeth is available I am told, for those that like the original style.
Its all getting a bit difficult to follow their Marketing on their wines.
The 06 Lovedale was released, then it was deemed not good enough, and then later released as Anne at $20.
Its bad luck for the "Friends Of Mt Pleasant" who paid full price for the 06 Lovedale when it was released to them. I was one that paid full weight.
While I am going on about winery clubs, I think Tyrrells are one that could look at how they treat their members.