Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
From vines planted in the 1890s, the 2018 Woodcutter's Semillon represents a true bargain for a chance to taste the product of centenarian vines. It's 30% barrel fermented but in old wood and with the malolactic blocked to retain the most freshness possible. Pear and lemon aromas appear on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is plump and silky but also crisp and long, with lovely focus and some pleasant, pithy notes.
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Wine Spectator
Distinctive, with lemon and pear flavors, accented by a note of fresh tomato leaf and a savory detail of saline, adding complexity and richness. Succulent acidity. A hint of spice emerges on the finish. Drink now.
Sémillon has the power to create wines with considerable structure, depth and length that will improve for several decades. It is the perfect partner to the vivdly aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. Sémillon especially shines in the Bordeaux region of Sauternes, which produces some of the world’s greatest sweet wines. Somm Secret—Sémillon was so common in South Africa in the 1820s, covering 93% of the country’s vineyard area, it was simply referred to as Wyndruif, or “wine grape.”
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.