Mount Horrocks Semillon 2023

Description

Mount Horrocks Wines is operated by proprietor/winemaker Stephanie Toole, who restricts production to approximately 3,500 cases per annum in order to achieve her aims of quality and single vineyard expression.  All three estate-owned Clare Valley vineyards, totalling ten hectares, are ‘A certified’ by Australian Certified Organic (ACO).  James Halliday says “Stephanie Toole has never deviated from the pursuit of excellence in the vineyard and winery. She has three vineyard sites in the Clare Valley, each managed using natural farming and organic practices. The attention to detail and refusal to cut corners is obvious in all her wines. 5 Red Star Winery”  Stephanie carefully crafts “essentially hand-made food wines with emphasis on structure as well as generous fruit flavours”. Only estate grown grapes are used and these are hand-picked and gently handled under conditions that ensure the varietal and site-specific flavours in the resultant wine, as well as its organic status, are retained. As no finings have been found necessary the wines are all suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Only the finest French oak barriques are used for those wines spending time in barrel.

Just a few hundred metres to the north east of the estate riesling vineyard lies the Mount Horrocks planting of semillon. The Mount Horrocks Semillon Vineyard is on distinctly weaker, rocky soil. The vines struggle even in a ‘normal’ season. According to Stephanie, semillon vines need to be challenged if a wine with depth of flavour (as is the case here) is to be achieved. Mount Horrocks Semillon demonstrates long lingering lemon and spice flavours complemented by creamy lees complexity and a touch of French oak.

From the winemaker: “Bright light gold with green edges. Lemon, grass, herbal and stoned fruit characters abound, underpinned by lovely creamy barrel ferment notes and gentle spiced oak nuances. It’s refined, with bright acidity and crunch, wonderful length of palate and lingering finish. With lovely yeast lees-derived texture, it’s both delicious now and age-worthy.”