The Auswine Forum

From a small stash I purchased back in 2001, the 1996 McWilliams Mt Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon (Hunter) is a glowing yellow-gold colour. The nose is fresh with lemons and honey and tropical fruits. The palate dances with prickly, almost spritzy acidity, perhaps helped by the low (10.5%) alcohol level. There is absolutely no sign of unripeness, however. Although the palate is of light-medium weight, the finish is very persistent. This wine is a delight to drink now, and gives every indication of having many years still ahead of it.

cheers,
Graeme

GraemeG wrote:From a small stash I purchased back in 2001, the 1996 McWilliams Mt Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon (Hunter) is a glowing yellow-gold colour. The nose is fresh with lemons and honey and tropical fruits. The palate dances with prickly, almost spritzy acidity, perhaps helped by the low (10.5%) alcohol level. There is absolutely no sign of unripeness, however. Although the palate is of light-medium weight, the finish is very persistent. This wine is a delight to drink now, and gives every indication of having many years still ahead of it.

cheers,
Graeme

Nice note. Makes me want to open one now

GraemeG wrote:From a small stash I purchased back in 2001, the 1996 McWilliams Mt Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon (Hunter) is a glowing yellow-gold colour. The nose is fresh with lemons and honey and tropical fruits. The palate dances with prickly, almost spritzy acidity, perhaps helped by the low (10.5%) alcohol level. There is absolutely no sign of unripeness, however. Although the palate is of light-medium weight, the finish is very persistent. This wine is a delight to drink now, and gives every indication of having many years still ahead of it.

cheers,
Graeme

Thanks for the note. I have 11 left and the first bottle opened a few months ago was as good as your note indicates.

Adair

Adair wrote:

GraemeG wrote:From a small stash I purchased back in 2001, the 1996 McWilliams Mt Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon (Hunter) is a glowing yellow-gold colour. The nose is fresh with lemons and honey and tropical fruits. The palate dances with prickly, almost spritzy acidity, perhaps helped by the low (10.5%) alcohol level. There is absolutely no sign of unripeness, however. Although the palate is of light-medium weight, the finish is very persistent. This wine is a delight to drink now, and gives every indication of having many years still ahead of it.

cheers,
Graeme

Thanks for the note. I have 11 left and the first bottle opened a few months ago was as good as your note indicates.

Adair

Most of the better '96 Hunter Sem's have a tautness of structure, that, at this point, is reflected in a lack of palate weight and development. Although many are drinking well today, I predict '96 will go down as one of the great years and the best examples will slowly, but surely, build complexity on the palate and hopefully look as good as many of the '86's are today, ten years down the track.