Category Archives: Semillon

Sonoma State Sensory Evaluation Workshop

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Ray Johnson

Staying ahead of flaws in the cellar and quantifying perceptual differences and consumer preferences are critical to a winery’s bottom line.  Following our return from New Zealand, Sonoma State’s Wine Business Institute will partner with VESTA to again offer this … Continue reading →

Posted in Albariño, Alsace, Alto Adige, Andalucia, Barbera, Barbera d'Asti, Barolo, Bordeaux, California, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Dealcoholized, Fortified dessert, France, Gewurztraminer, Graves, Italy, Jerez, Madeira, Malmsey, Malvasia, Marlborough, Merlot, Napa County, Napa Valley, Nebbiolo, New Zealand, Palomino, Pessac-Leognan, Piemonte, Pinot Noir, Port, Portugal, Provence, Rosé, Russian River Valley, Sancerre, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sherry, Sonoma County, South Africa, Spain, Tawny Port, Var, Vinho Verde, Western Cape | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Leeuwin Siblings 2009

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Ray Johnson

Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River, Siblings 2009 This vintage has 62% Sauvignon Blanc and 38% Semillon in the mix. The nose features a combination of grass, citrus and gooseberry. In the mouth the citrus is pronounced, as if eating very ripe … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Margaret River, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Western Australia | Tagged | 2 Comments

Chateau Suduiraut 2005

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Chateau Suduiraut, Sauternes 1er Cru 2005 The nose features lots of honey, a bit of straw, tropical fruit notes and appropriate volatility. In the mouth it is thick and rich, lemony, tempered by acidity and reminiscent of a spoonful of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, France, Late Harvest White, Sauternes, Semillon | Tagged | Leave a comment

Chateau Gravas 2008

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Chateau Gravas, Sauternes 2008 The nose shows a nice sense of tropical fruit, honey and minerality. In the mouth you’ll find a light-bodied Sauternes, yet one that hits the profile, albeit without the concentration of the big guns – yet … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, France, Late Harvest White, Semillon, White Dessert | Tagged | Leave a comment

Le G de Chateau Guiraud

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Chateau Guiraud, Bordeaux Blanc Sec, Le G de Chateau Guiraud 2007 The nose features straw, minerality, lanolin and stone fruit.  There’s an evolved complexity that shows already. In the mouth there is a nice thread of acidity with the richness … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, France, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon | Leave a comment

V. Sattui Semillon 2008

Posted on June 10, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Semillon in California seems to have a bit of a Rodney Dangerfield image, playing second fiddle behind the more photogenic stars of the viticultural landscape. Yet in Australia’s Hunter and Bordeaux’s Sauternes, it is the star. I was delighted to … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Napa Valley, Semillon | Tagged | 2 Comments

Chateau Climens 2005

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Chateau Climens, Barsac 2005 What is wonderful about this wine is the amount of fruit that shows, from citrus to the tropical notes of pineapple. Sure, there is the expected richness of honey and appropriate volatility, but the coupling of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, France, Sauternes, Semillon | Tagged | 1 Comment

Brokenwood Semillon 2004

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Brokenwood, Hunter Valley, Oakey Creek Vineyard, Semillon 2004 Give this just 10 minutes in the glass to blow off a bit of sulfur. Then the toasty character comes on, quite a complex wine with nuttiness and a bit of spicy … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Semillon | Tagged | 1 Comment

Chateau d’Yquem

Posted on April 2, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Chateau d’Yquem, Sauternes 2005 From the start, the nose features a complex mix of honey, vanilla, appropriate volatility, creme caramel and dried apricots. In the mouth it is broad and viscous, a wine whose texture is luscious. With time, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, France, Late Harvest White, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, White Dessert | Tagged | Leave a comment

hazard hill Semillon Sauvignon 2008

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Ray Johnson

hazard hill, Western Australia, semillon sauvignon Blanc 2008 Breezy and fresh, this wine shows grass and citrus in the nose. In the mouth it is crisp and clean, with concentrated flavors of lime and lime zest and a little petilance … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Bordeaux Style Blends, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Western Australia | Leave a comment