I was fortunate to taste a bottle of the 1986 Mt Pleasant Elizabeth semillon after McWilliams discovered some cases during a change of warehouses.
For me a classic Hunter Valley aged semillon by Tyrrell’s or McWilliam’s are among the greatest and most distinctive in Australia – if not the world. In fact a couple of weeks ago Tyrrell’s took out the award for top semillon at the prestigious Adelaide Wine Show with their 2005 Vat 1 semillon and followed it up with a trophy at the Melbourne Wine Show with the 2009.
I don’t want to sway you in any way but consider it has appeal as a young wine or fully aged (say, 20 years) and at the in-between stages of its development. Because it is a light wine, semillon does not fight the flavours of food; on the contrary, it complements most food. Also it is very low in alcohol (as low as 11%) so you don’t end up saying things you don’t normally say!
The 1986 wine was outstanding and living proof why you should keep these Hunter semillons as long as possible before drinking.
The colour was dark straw; the bouquet toasty, grapefruit with honey aromas. It finished with a delicious honey taste and was long and dry. Wonderful nectar.
The 1986 won 4 trophies, 22 gold, 10 silver and 3 bronze medals. In the last 7 years Elizabeth semillons have won more than 60 gold medals. Not a bad advertisement Eh.
Whats more the current 2015 vintage can be picked up for $17 a bottle at major liquor chains. Go for it!
