DB Semillon Chardonnay 2009
Region
Riverina
Appearance
Brilliant straw yellow with a hint of green.
Bouquet
Lifted quince and citrus with tropical stone-fruit characters, complimented by subtle herbaceous characters and a whisper of toasty oak.
Palate
A very focused wine, showing great depth of flavour. An impeccably balanced palate finishes long with crunchy acid and tasty oak.
Vintage Conditions
The lead up to the 2009 harvest in the Riverina was one of the best on record,
refreshing rains during Spring and mild December temperatures resulted in flavour intensity and superior acid structure. The end of January saw an unprecedented heat wave of 40°plus for 14 days which resulted in delayed ripening - overall the vintage was good to excellent.
Winemaking
Premium parcels of local fruit were picked at peak flavour ripeness showing
concentrated varietal characters. Selected parcels of wine (20%) underwent MLF to soften the edges, create texture and lend character. Both Semillon and Chardonnay components were fermented on French and American oak for up to three weeks to facilitate complexity and palate definition. Select parcels had extended lees contact to add texture and mouth feel to the final blend.
Wine Analysis
Alc/Vol : 12.5% pH : 3.25 TA : 6.2 g/L
Cellaring
Excellent drinking on release and will drink well for a further two years.
Suggested Cuisine
Sautéed Field Mushrooms with Creamy Polenta or Oysters Naturale.
General Characteristics
Dry Medium Bodied
UK
Semillon and chardonnay don't have the spice loving reputation of riesling or sauvignon but they can be fine matches provided oak influences are kept to a minimum. At all points, De Bortoli's range is on fire at the moment, and here ripe pear and apricot fruit will lap up the spices while a creamy, textured eight copes with the red meat (Rice Noodle Pho with rare beef & star anise)
, Daily Telegraph, August 2011
"Butter, Lemon and lime flavours. Nice with mashed potatoes."
, Mature Times, October 2010
"De Bortoli is known for its sensational Noble One sweet wine, but they make consistently good affordable dry whites. This was only made as the family reserve. I liked its balance of rich honeyed palate and vibrant acidity."
Rose Murray Brown, The Scotsman, June 2010
"If you know what you like then stick to your guns and try the DB Semillon Chardonnay 2009. Sourced from the region in Australia, De Bortoli has perfected the blend of these two different grape varieties bringing a wealth of flavours. The aromas of lime and citrus from the Semillon complement the peach and tropical aromas from the Chardonnay."
Sharon Walters, Shropshire Star, May 2010
"DB Semillon Chardonnay 2009 is an Australian dry white wine that stands out from the crowd. The blend, of the Semillon grape with Chardonnay, oddly mixes two of France's most diametrically opposed classic varieties, responsible respectively for the classic white wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy but the blend does work well here. The maker is a biggish Aussie outfit called De Bortoli still owned by the Italian immigrant family who founded it in 1928, and now with vineyards at Riverina and in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, and also in the Yarra valley, Victoria. The family specialise in superb “dessert” wines from Semillon grapes, and undoubtedly knows a thing or two about growing this variety. Perhaps this explains the exceptional quality of this relatively inexpensive dry version. I was greatly impressed with the whiff of new-sliced fresh pineapple from the glass, followed up by corresponding flavours which also extend to peaches and crisp apple. It's a likeable fruit salad of a wine, lush but refreshing, and good value at this price."
Ned Halley, Bristol Evening Post, May 2010
Copyright 2008 De Bortoli Wines. All Rights Reserved.
