Since most consumers of this style enjoy it for its vibrant fruit characters, a very large percentage of the Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is drunk within a year of its release. At the same time, the style should not be written off as one that will not reward cellaring and we note that Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends from the Bordeaux region in France have a proud history of long term cellaring.

Customers who prefer to see this style with some bottle development can cellar it with confidence. It will retain strong primary fruit aromas until 2 years old, after which there will be a gradual loss of freshness. Over a further 3 to 5 years the wine will develop its bottle bouquet consisting of toast and marmalade notes and should drink best as a complex wine at around 10 years of age.

Lively fruit aromas of sauvignon blanc - This variety is harvested early to maximise its potential in the Semillon blend. The fruit is destemmed into the press, in a similar fashion to the Moss Wood Semillon, drained and pressed and then settled in stainless steel tanks. It is then racked and fermented in stainless steel at 15°C. There is no lees stirring post-fermentation for the Sauvignon Blanc. It should retain its freshest, most lifted aromas of leaf, grass and lychee. The lively fruit aromas of sauvignon blanc - herbaceous and tropical notes like guava and loquat combine with semillon apple and fig characters, to create a medium to full body wine with fresh acidity, soft tannins and a clean finish.

I was asked on Saturday what “Semillon” meant in the context of “Semillon Sauvignon Blanc”. I answered that it was just another type of grape that went in with the Sauvignon Blanc, and the addition of Semillon, by and large, makes it a better drink. “No way..are you kidding me?” was the response. My word is my bond. Apple, grass, light tropical fruit. Good flavour - medium to full bodied with balanced acidity and a nice little rainbow of fruitiness offering lime/apple/cape gooseberry with a touch of spicy lemongrass and green bean. The length is good and the drinkablity high. A fine example of the blend. Rated : 92 Points Tasted : Nov08 Alcohol : 13.5% Price : $26 Closure : Screwcap Drink : 2008 - 2012 Gary Walsh; The Wine Front