New Release
386 CASES PRODUCED
The site of the Mount Horrocks Semillon, while just a few hundred metres from the Riesling vineyard, is very different. Weaker soil and rockier, the vines struggle even in a ‘normal’ season. Stephanie had a very good reason for choosing this site, with its weak topsoil over hard rock, rather than the soft-rock profile nearby.
Semillon vines need to be challenged if flavoursome wines are the aim. The semillon variety is notorious for producing big bunches, if given the chance. Small bunches are produced on poorer soils and can produce more intense wines. It’s about tempering the vigour of the vine and its tendency to produce high yields. In this case long lingering lemon flavours are complemented by creamy lees complexity achieved during nine months’ maturation in French oak.
Tasting Notes
Light yellow-gold with a lime edge. Apple, lemon and lime fruit aromas over spiced oak. Flavoursome, without being heavy, this oak-aged semillon is a truly distinctive wine. Generously flavoured, citrus and baked apple fruit, stylish oak and gently creamy barrel ferment texture, its zesty acidity ensuring the flavours linger long.
Delicious drinking now yet has a decade’s ageing ahead, if you wish.
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Recent reviews
- The Real ReviewMount Horrocks Semillon 2022 92/100 A light, bright yellow colour; spicy and nutty barrel-fermented aromas superimposed on gently grassy/herbal semillon fruit. Light-medium bodied, a clean and beautifully finished wine, and very good—it doesn’t show too much of the herbal side of semillon. By Huon Hooke 10 March 2023
- In DailyMount Horrocks Semillon 2022 From an isolated estate vineyard, 500m above sea level on the slopes of Mount Horrocks itself, winemaker Stephanie Toole has remained devoted to this wine over many vintages. It’s a full barrel-fermented and matured style with engaging complexity: grilled stone fruits and fennel to start, creamy palate senses following on, with a ...
- Max AllenMount Horrocks Semillon 2021, a tight, crisp, lean wine in its youth that needs time in the cellar to really come into its own: the 2021 is lemony, mouth-watering, enjoyable, but the 2008, with its rich citron pith textural quality and hints of buttered toast, is now on a different level of enjoyment altogether – ...
- Valley MagazineMount Horrocks Semillon 2021 Stephanie Toole may be the best friend Clare Valley Semillon has ever had. The long line of great wines she has produced from this underappreciated variety is Exhibit A when making the case that there’s more to Clare whites than just Riesling. This is a worthy addition to that line, a wine ...
- Wine of the WeekWINE OF THE WEEK Mount Horrocks Semillon 2021 94 Points Stephanie Toole makes some of the Clare’s most polished wines from her biodynamically certified vineyards. This is a lovely wine in a style different to the Hunter Valley classics. There are creamy, custard tart aromas, subtly floral and without any green traces, the fruit ripe and attractive if ...
