McWilliams 2006 Mt Pleasant Cellar-Aged Elizabeth Semillon
Region: Hunter Valley NSW | About $18.50
Last week I reviewed the McWilliams 2011 Mt Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon, bemoaning only the fact that it lacked on release the cellar maturity that Elizabeths of bygone years had shown.
I’ve since been gently chastised by the McWilliams marketing team, told that were always two Elizabeth Semillons on offer, and forwarded a bottle of the cellar-aged version, in this case from the 2006 vintage.
And it is indeed a joy to taste one of Australia’s truly unique wine styles — I’ll nominate Rutherglen muscat and sparkling shiraz as the others — and revel in its glorious golden colour, pristine bouquet of honeyed toast, richly flavoured but completely dry palate, and vibrant lemony acidity of the finish.
It completely deserves its bevy of show awards and at $18.50 — less than a dollar more than the 2011 version — is seriously underpriced. Why would you pay about the same of your hard-earned for a glass NZ sauvignon blanc when this gem is there for the taking? Seriously, it’s a no-brainer.
Visit http://www.mountpleasantwines.com.au
— JOHN ROZENTALS*
*John Rozentals is a Charles Sturt University Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science) graduate.
Samples for tasting and review should be addressed to John Rozentals, PO Box 3484, Rhodes 2138.
