Semillon

Great Southern

Semillon

Rockcliffe Single Site fumé blanc 2024 ($35) This wine is made from semillon and has been just lightly oaked so as not to dominate the fruit. This was quite a warm year, but the quality of the fruit was quite exceptional down in Denmark. And in this case, the combination of the zippy, lemony semillon with the light, nutty oak...

Margaret River

Semillon

Here's a wine that takes semillon into a heady new zone. After hand-picking, the fruit was whole-bunch pressed and then fermented using natural yeasts. It's resulted in a wine that is texturally pleasing and loaded with intense varietal characters. It has a slightly creamy, buttery character, but it's ever so slight, and it's complemented by the zingy lemon zest lift....

Margaret River

Semillon

A balanced and textured example of what Margaret River can do with semillon. There's richness here, but it's balanced with a fine, precise and defining acidity. I love the purity and freshness evident on the nose. There are some slightly toasty characters complementing the vibrant lemon fruit characters. A rich and flavoursome palate brimming with plush fruits, complemented by a...

Margaret River

Semillon

This is another style that Grace Farm elevates from the stock standard. Semillon is such a beautiful variety, and when it gets just a little oak influence from the, in this case, four months in seasoned French oak, it really does elevate it into another zone. Slightly lemony, nutty characters on the nose. And then a palate which displays good...

Margaret River

Semillon

Vasse Felix has made this wine for some years now, and it's a lovely example of the dessert style. It's created by cutting the fruiting cane and allowing the bunches to hang and dry out before picking, concentrating the flavours and sugars. It was fermented in French oak. From the outset, it captures so much about this variety. Lemon essence...

Margaret River

Semillon

I bang on about semillon all the time, and yet here’s the reason. It’s wines like this. This is a cracking good example of what Margaret River can produce with this variety, an underrated variety these days. It’s had about 25% new French oak, and then spent eight months on lees, so it’s picked up a complexity and textural element...

Swan Valley

Semillon

Another beautiful example of this site. Has a nice texture and flavour profile. Aromas of lemon zest and a little lemon meringue, and then a palate which is flavoursome and intense, but with such impeccable balance and purity. Has a certain minerality. A little barrel-fermented pressings have been added to give it texture and richness. Contributes to the texture.

Margaret River

Semillon

There is a remarkable purity and brightness in this semillon from a season that seemed particularly well suited to the variety. It's a delicate, almost understated wine, yet with a little air the flavour intensity steadily builds. The nose reveals classic citrus blossom, lemon and subtle floral aromas. The palate introduces a fine oyster shell minerality that beautifully complements the...

Margaret River

Semillon

Here's a wine that is testament to both excellent viticulture and thoughtful winemaking. Although 2024 was a warm vintage, this semillon displays remarkable finesse and delicacy while retaining the variety's classic citrus, lemon and crisp pear characters. Fine, focused and impressively long, it again poses the question of why more straight semillons aren't being produced.

Margaret River

Semillon

This is a really zingy semillon positively bursting with intensity and spritely lemon zest-infused fruit. Displays a light, grassy edge to the intense lemon tropical notes. Refreshing and mouthwatering palate lifted with a flick of natural acidity. An extra year in the bottle has allowed this pick up a little more texture, and it's drinking mighty well now.

Margaret River

Semillon

A variety that Ashbrook has been making for decades and it is always one of their most popular. The season was very good and allowed the semillon to display its full range of grassy citrus notes with an underlay of tropical fruit. The colour is bright and brilliant and the palate just sings with lovely zingy ripe fruits, some nice...

Western Australia

Semillon

A beautiful example of a sweet dessert wine. It's made from semillon, which makes absolute sense given some of the great dessert wines come from that variety. The aromas are all florals, citrus and a hint of lime, and the palate, while sweet and luscious, has a fine, precise acidity which keeps it delicately poised without ever becoming cloying. Loaded...

Margaret River

Semillon

This is a slightly fuller style than previously. Perhaps a product of the warmer vintage or maybe an indication of a somewhat new direction for the variety. Regardless, it retains the essential linear mouthfeel and intensity of lemon zest and citrus. A crisp zingy acid sustains the long finish. An immediately appealing wine still with cellaring potential.

Margaret River

Semillon

A bright and light semillon bursting with zingy lively fruit characters. On the nose there is a typical varietal lemon zip with a wet pebbly influence. The palate is fine and linear but with good varietal definition. The lingering acidity adds the final flourish.

Swan Valley

Semillon

Talijancich has been making semillon since 1989, and I suspect there has never been a better one than this. Picks up the varietal characters of lemon and other citrus notes, but then adds the complexing richness of partial barrel fermentation. The palate reveals flavours of custard and lemon tart with a citrussy edge for balance and a slightly nutty finish....

Western Australia

Semillon

This is made into a keen crisp style with every effort to retain its vibrant lively lemony fruit characters. The nose shows that distinctive lemon scent of semillon with just a trace of riper stone fruit in the background. Tea ate beautifully weighted with a fine acid sustaining a lingering finish. Ideal for drinking in the short term.

Margaret River

Semillon

Ashbrook has been committed to this variety from the outset, and good on them. It’s a variety I love and I’m always keen to see a straight varietal version. A more restrained version in line with the season with traces of tropical fruits, cut grass and a zingy citrus tang. The acid keeps it crisp and keen through to a...

Margaret River

Semillon

A light and highly perfumed semillon that makes excellent use of barrel fermentation to introduce a new layer of complexity. The varietal lemon characters are evident but then other deeper notes of stone fruit emerge to bring the palate to life. The oak is so well handled here. Has a racy fine acidity to add the final kick to the...

Margaret River

Semillon

Yet another compelling reason why we should be getting more semillon from Margaret River. This one shows its range if options, and is fermented in new and older French oak with some of it fermented on skins, bringing in further palate complexity and weight. The aromas are an intriguing mix of dried herbs, lemon scents, cedary oak. The palate goes...

Margaret River

Semillon

An immediately fragrant semillon from this very good year. Lift of lemon citrus displays the essential character of a variety that is so well suited to Margaret River. This is fine crisp and clean yet there is excellent fruit intensity holding to a long finish. Crunchy and vibrant with a light texture.

Margaret River

Semillon

There are so many ways you can deal with semillon. In this case, it’s a mix of 25% new French oak and the rest in stainless steel with 8 months on lees. It’s created texture and richness while retaining the linear thread of fine acidity. Lemon scented with a slightly smoky backdrop. Has a clean and pure palate which extends...

Margaret River

Semillon

I’m always excited to see a straight semillon. It’s a variety that Margaret River does so well, and this is a beauty. Captures the typical lemon scented aromas which merge through into the lively intense fruit on the palate. The fruit intensity is superb, while the high natural acidity ensures it comes to life with so much energy. A super...

Margaret River

Semillon

Not many straight semillon made these days, so it always pleases me when I find one. This captures the essential lemon characters of the variety on the nose before delivering a generously proportioned palate with a fine lift of acid. The texture is balanced with that crisp acidity carrying the finish.

Great Southern

Semillon

Much like the Fume Blanc release, Rockcliffe have fermented this variety in French oak. The impact is that it takes semillon into another zone, showcasing its qualities and adaptability. It's fresh and zingy but there is a slightly toasty, creamy feel that is most appealing. A style worth pursuing.

Margaret River

Semillon

Remains one of my favourite Moss Wood wines, and certainly one of my favourite semillons. And this one from the great '23 vintage is right up there with anything. It seems a more pungent and intense semillon than previous years and probably a result of the vintage which produced such beautiful fruit intensity. Pure and driven with a lip-smacking acidity...

Margaret River

Semillon

A style of wine you seldom see in WA, let alone in Margaret River. It's a sweet dessert style wine but it has been made in a way that controls the palate, so it remains deep and sweet yet never becomes cloying. Retains a fresh zingy acidity. Distinctive aromas of orange peel and marmalade, honey and a little butterscotch with...

Margaret River

Semillon

This gets six months in older barriques. Fermented in tank and then matured in oak. Has a distinctive and lovely lemon zest aroma with traces of subtle lemon pith and an almost guava-like character. A trace of fresh cut grass brings another dimension to the wine with its honeysuckle nuances most appealing. I like the weight and palate feel of...

Geographe

Semillon

Okay, this is why we should have more varietal semillons. This is a beauty. The fruit is intense, reflecting the vintage, and the use of lees stirring to build complexity and texture is a highlight. Has a spicy dried herbs and nutty character developing with a little fresh-cut grassiness typical of the variety. Excellent little wine.