Monday 30 May 2016

Briar Ridge 2015 Single Vineyard Dairy Hill Semillon - Hunter Valley

FROM challenge in the vineyard to
success in the bottle, enjoy this
one with any seafood.

TRICKY JUGGLING ACT'S GREAT SEMILLON

David Ellis

WE never cease to be amazed at how winemakers can so often turn adversity in the vineyard to success in the bottle, the latest example coming our way a 2015 Single Vineyard Dairy Hill Semillon from the Hunter Valley's Briar Ridge.

For this very rewarding drop came from a vintage that winemaker Gwyn Olsen now somewhat casually shrugs off as "challenging," testifying what anyone who knows her will agree, that Gwyn has never been one to shy away from a challenge. "2015 was characterized by very dry conditions at the start of the growing season," she says. "Followed by those infuriating Hunter summer storms, prior to and leading into vintage, and making for some judicious picking decisions.

"But the juggling act in the vineyard paid off, resulting in low-cropping but fruit driven, precise and complex wines." And that includes that Dairy Hill Semillon with beautiful citrusy kaffir lime and lemongrass flavours so typical of Semillon from the Hunter's Mount View region

Little wonder it's a multi-trophy winner, and a wine to enjoy now or any time up to around the mid-2020's. At $35 it's a perfect match with all  seafood.

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