Sémillon, Hunter Valley
Semillon is widely grown in Australia. And like Riesling is one of the very best grapes for demonstrating the different characters emerging from Australia's varied wine regions. There are many different styles produced, however, the Hunter Valley is by far the most famous. Semillon from the Hunter Valley is lean, pale wine with citrus, grapefruit and flintiness in its flavour. With a few years bottle age it turns into a honeyed, nutty, classic wine. The Barossa Valley tends to be the most luscious, often with oak age, it has aromas of peaches and mangoes. Margaret River’s versions are a fine balance between these two styles, and they age well too. It is most often blended with Sauvignon Blanc to produce the regions famous blends.
In France, it is the main grape for Sauternes. Elsewhere in Bordeaux it is the most widely planted white grape and is blended with Sauvignon Blanc to produce the dry whites of Graves. In Bordeaux, where it can be aged in oak, it produces wines that are high in alcohol and extract, but relatively low in aroma and acidity. Its thin skin makes it very susceptible to botrytis which is prerequisite for the making of Sauternes.
Internationally, Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s two most well known wine regions, alongside Barossa Valley in South Australia. Located about a two hour drive north of Sydney, the region is very popular for weekend escapes from the city of Sydney.
Hunter Valley’s climate includes regular droughts or floods, seemingly less than desirable conditions to grow grapes, with the hot, humid summers and cool winters. Nevertheless, the region has been under cultivation since the 1800’s and is responsible for putting Australian wine, in particular Sémillon and to a lesser extent Shiraz, on the world wine map. Winemaking pioneers such as Bruce Tyrrell (Tyrrell's Wines) and Len Evans helped the region gain worldwide recognition.
The famous Hunter valley Sémillon was for many years known as ‘Hunter Valley Riesling’ and is never matured in oak. It is however one of the most ageworthy whites in the country with bottles showing an inordinate ability to age gracefully. Bottle-aged Sémillons will often exhibit burnt toast and honey characteristics, slight nutty notes and supremely complex flavours on the palate. This palate complexity is coupled with soft acidity and the finish can be very long indeed.
In France, it is the main grape for Sauternes. Elsewhere in Bordeaux it is the most widely planted white grape and is blended with Sauvignon Blanc to produce the dry whites of Graves. In Bordeaux, where it can be aged in oak, it produces wines that are high in alcohol and extract, but relatively low in aroma and acidity. Its thin skin makes it very susceptible to botrytis which is prerequisite for the making of Sauternes.
Internationally, Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s two most well known wine regions, alongside Barossa Valley in South Australia. Located about a two hour drive north of Sydney, the region is very popular for weekend escapes from the city of Sydney.
Hunter Valley’s climate includes regular droughts or floods, seemingly less than desirable conditions to grow grapes, with the hot, humid summers and cool winters. Nevertheless, the region has been under cultivation since the 1800’s and is responsible for putting Australian wine, in particular Sémillon and to a lesser extent Shiraz, on the world wine map. Winemaking pioneers such as Bruce Tyrrell (Tyrrell's Wines) and Len Evans helped the region gain worldwide recognition.
The famous Hunter valley Sémillon was for many years known as ‘Hunter Valley Riesling’ and is never matured in oak. It is however one of the most ageworthy whites in the country with bottles showing an inordinate ability to age gracefully. Bottle-aged Sémillons will often exhibit burnt toast and honey characteristics, slight nutty notes and supremely complex flavours on the palate. This palate complexity is coupled with soft acidity and the finish can be very long indeed.
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Sourced from a small selection of some of our top Semillon vineyards around the Hunter Valley. Most of the vineyards are dry grown and have an average vine age of 40 years. The grapes were machine harvested at cool temperatures in ... Learn MoreTyrrell's Hunter Valley Semillon 2022$19.99 Per item -
The De Iuliis Semillon white wines are known for being amongst the best Semillons on offer in the Hunter Valley. This irresistible luscious dessert wine has concentrated flavours of honey / marmalade, dried apricots and peaches. Its silky mouth feel, light ... Learn MoreDe Iuliis Late Picked Sem 2021 (500ml)$20.00 Per item - Hungerford Hill Blackberry Vineyard Semillon 2013$50.00 Per item
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The Braemore vineyard is one of the finest plots of Semillon in the Hunter Valley. ... Learn More -
Vat 1 Semillon only ever comes from our best old vine, dry grown vineyards. These blocks feature ideal sandy, free draining soils that give these wines their unique character. The oldest of these blocks was planted in 1923. Hand picked in the ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S 'Vat 1' Semillon 2015$74.90 Per item -
Vat 1 Semillon only ever comes from our best old vine, dry grown vineyards. These blocks feature ideal sandy, free draining soils that give these wines their unique character. The oldest of these blocks was planted in 1923. Hand picked in the ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S 'Vat 1' Semillon 2016$79.99 Per item -
This wine comes from our Johnno’s vineyard, which is situated just below the winery. Planted in 1908, it features sandy soils and is planted alongside Mary Anne’s Creek, which runs all the way down to our iconic Short Flat ... Learn MoreTyrrell's 'Sacred Sites Johnno's' Semillon 2021$89.00 Per item -
After a relatively cool fermentation, the wine spent a minimal time on yeast lees before being bottled to maintain its freshness. ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S 'Vat 1' Semillon 2008$124.99 Per item -
The Vat 1 Semillon was taken from two of the best old blocks of Semillon. The Short Flat was planted in 1923 and Debeyers planted in 1968 ... Learn MoreTyrrell's 'Vat 1' Semillon 2009$150.00 Per item -
A late spring which lead into cooler conditions throughout November and early December with some rain. This lead up left us with above average crop levels which ripened well with the warmer weather in January. Picking began one week later ... Learn MoreTyrrell'S 'Vat 1' Semillon 2011$160.00 Per item
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