The Auswine Forum

G'day

I've posted on many vintages of this wine over some years, including the series of 1996 vintage drunk at my eldest daughter's birthday over the last 12+ years. However, and having just moved some bottles around in my cellar, I realise that the youngest bottle I have is 2007. A friend opened a 2009 recently and that was fine, as expected. For the age, sensational wines, and for me, only eclipsed by the Lovedale (same company) and Tyrrells Vat 1. My wine education started here in the early 1990s.

I also recall around 2010 there was some debate about bringing the Elizabeth into the 'current drinking for younger people' demographic, and it was mooted that about 10% Sauvignon Blanc (shock! horror!) had been introduced to facilitate the market change.

Can anyone confirm that:

a) the more recent vintages are 100% Semillon?
b) they are 'typical' Hunter Semillon; i.e. 5-10 year to open up?

I receive a lot of marketing stuff from retailers and wineries, and this wine has fallen off the radar. Is there a good reason why it's not being promoted, along with thousands of others?

Cheers
Allan

Is there a good reason why it's not being promoted, along with thousands of others?

Production volume is much lower than previous. I'll see what I can find out.

I think it was only the 2010 vintage that had Sauvignon Blanc in it, they went back to straight Semillon after that. Though I haven't tried any recent vintages, reviews are positive, and suggest it is back to the original cellaring style. Not a big buy-in to get a bottle to test though I suppose. Gee, think I might have to go find one to try myself actually!

My experience with Elizabeth mainly in 00's vintages (only back to 2000), I enjoyed it, thought it good value, but IMHO others above when judged on quality alone. I think Tyrrell's single vineyard wines (Stevens, Belford, HVD, Johnno's) are usually superior, Thomas Braemore, Brokenwood single vineyards, De Iuliis. Granted, most of them are more expensive though, some by a margin, very few at Lizzie's price can match.

Will

What is a good price for a “Lizzie “ these days ? $25 retail ?

I had a 2006 a few weeks back, crazy I paid $15 for it. In a perfect zone, plenty of butter (what I look for in aged Semillon) but still had enough acid to keep it interesting and not flat and dull.

Was telling my friends at the BBQ (who don't drink wine often) it was butter wine, I think I convinced some of them it was wine made from actual butter.