Tuesday, 6 September 2022

A semillon for every palate

It has been "all change" recently at Hunter Valley icon Mount Pleasant with new owners and a new cellar door.

Now Mount Pleasant is set to unveil its new-release semillons on September 13, including the 2017 cellar-aged Lovedale Semillon, a regional icon and a wine that can cellar for 20-25 years.  

“The wine is a beautiful example of Hunter Valley semillon," says chief winemaker Adrian Sparks. "Containing a complex nose highlighting perfectly balanced bottle aged and fruit characters, a lively fresh palate with ripe citrus notes, fine acidity and a long lingering finish. This wine will cellar to be a definitive example of the classic Hunter semillon style.”

The 2022 whites release features four semillons produced from the Lovedale Vineyard, which was first planted by pioneering Maurice O’Shea in 1946. It just depends whether your preference is for youthful, or mature semillon.  

I loved the value offered by the 2022 Mount Pleasant 2022 Estate Semillon, which I reviewed in Ciao Magazine

There is something very special about Hunter Valley semillon, which is expressive and deliciously lively while young, and then develops toasty characters when aged. Mount Pleasant, one of the leading producers of the style and with a history that dates back over 100 years, has new owners and new labels but winemaker Adrian Sparks remains on board, and this is a delightful new release with youthful vibrancy and a lemony tang on the palate. Brilliant when paired with freshly shucked oysters. $25.

The other wines I have sampled are all excellent: the 2022 Lovedale Semillon (members only) $55; 2017 Lovedale Semillon $90 and 2017 Elizabeth Semillon $30. The release also includes a 2022 rosé and a 2021 chardonnay and fiano.

The wines will all be available for tasting and sales in the newly refurbished cellar door from their release, with Mount Pleasant hosting a dedicated lunch on September 17 to celebrate the 2022 released whites.

The event will offer the opportunity for guests to experience the newly refurbished cellar door along with a four-course lunch with canapes on arrival, designed by head chef Kyle Whitbourne in collaboration with celebrated Australian chef, Justin North. The lunch will feature wine pairing chosen by Sparks.

Tickets will be available for $250 per person, including live entertainment and a winery tour. See www.mountpleasantwines.com.au

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