Devoted fan for many decades of the lesser-known grape variety Semillon. Followed it closely in Bordeaux as the prominent one used for rich Sauternes but also as a key blending component in dry Graves and Pessac-Leognan. Always liked Michael Broadbent’s description in Wine Tasting (1968) that it “has quality and style, a ‘SOFT LANOLINE NOSE’, but somehow lacks fruity acidity, which is why it is usually vinified alongside Sauvignon Blanc.”
Your scribe is a long-time admirer of the Semillon produced in the Hunter River, New South Wales, Australia by the Tyrrell family – particularly Vat 1. Tyrrell’s swept the awards at the recent Royal Sydney Wine Show with 2013 Vat 1 Semillon. Still available in Canada directly from their agent Select Wines before switching to 2015 when 2013 is sold out. For a lot less money at BCLDB is 2019 Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon $26.99 reduced to $19.97 until April 30. This is their flagship legendary product. Remember tasting old vintages with first Murray Tyrrell during the seventies plus more recently with son Bruce carrying on this wonderful tradition. Always stunned in disbelief by the depth, rich textures, and unique complex honey intense flavours of these marvelous older white wines. Referenced it on this Blog January 25, 2016 as an example of “dry whites out there that seem to age forever.” Semillon in Australia started out in the early sixties named Hunter Valley Riesling (until 1990) on vines planted in 2 unirrigated close blocks called Johnno’s (from 1908) & Short Flat (planted 1923) on sandy loam soils. Attended a Sydney Wine Show many years ago where winemaking legend Brian Crozer awarded again top Semillon wine to Tyrrell’s Vat 1 and commented that “the Hunter should be growing only their outstanding Semillon vines there and nothing else”. Remarkable indeed how they can handpick in this very hot region the Semillon grapes so early at low Brix, ferment in stainless, bottle soon for freshness, and wait for amazing bottle age development of complexity. Last one tried a few years ago was a bottle of the youthful excellent 1998 at only 10.5 abv. What a wine!
In British Columbia we have been experimenting with Semillon for some time. It is wonderful when used in a Bordeaux blend but seems a harder sell to the consumer than 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Vancouver Sommelier of the Year in 2010 Kurtis Kolt helped the focus through Okanagan Crush Pad’s “Wine Campus” program to support BC Hospitality Foundation in choosing for his limited release winemaking prize a spotlight for ‘Kurtis Wild-Ferment Semillon”. Others have tried 100% Semillon with mixed results. Most successful by far has been Bartier Bros with their outstanding under-the-radar Semillon grown since 1999 on similar sandy loam topsoil on granite glacial till with some limestone & calcium sulphate. It is a limited production wine of 300+ cases from the Cerquiera Vineyard on Lower Black Sage Bench in Oliver BC showing early on as surprisingly fruity well balanced with waxy sesame seed marzipan-like sage citrus notes. Not really lacking in fruit acidity as noted by Broadbent. Also have been monitoring older vintages and cellaring time is truly worth it too. Just enjoyed 2013 (12.9) & 2012 (12.7) that continue to evolve to an admirable more complex level of depth lusher textures. Well done! Recommend checking out their new $23 release 2021 at 12.5 abv for 325 cases harvested October 1, using whole cluster pressed grapes fermented at 15-17C in stainless for 5 months. Versatile on its own or matching so well with food dishes. Perfect to try some bottles young, vibrant & fresh but to cherish later on some older bottles you have put away for a special occasion. Smart value move.
Answer: Nebbiolo is the name of a black grape grown mainly in Piedmont Italy used for prized Barolo & Barbaresco among other wines. The word is believed to be derived from the “nebbia” (fog) that forms over the many valleys in this region mainly in the early morning of the Fall months. Some also refer to the powdery fine particles of white bloom that form on the grapes before harvest. Excellent most appropriate grape name!
On March 29, 2022 our Group of Eight in Vancouver led by respected connoisseur of fine wines Ian Mottershead reached an important 100th milestone. So many memorable events have been held over the years (many of them written up on this Blog by your scribe) studying the finest of top quality wines from around the world with an intense focus on vintage differences and key appellations especially in Bordeaux & Burgundy. This time appropriately was a classy black tie affair dinner at Blue Water Cafe to celebrate our centenary with 9 vintages of one of the world’s legendary wines Chateau Latour in Pauillac. There are 78 hectares of this 92 hectare Estate planted with nearly 75% cab sauv and increasing merlot nearing now 24% and only a tad left of cab franc and petit verdot. They have a special gravelly clay “Enclos” of 47 hectares that produces miracle Grand Vin. Wonderful special anticipation for this event by yours truly for one of his favourite wine properties with a long history of delightful experience with them. Brought back many fond memories of greatest wines plus surprising old bottles from lesser vintages that always seemed to show so much better than expected. One of my most fortunate exposures was during a sabbatical from my law practice in the Fall of 1977 while studying wine courses in London, England. The opportunity arose when invited by organizer Martin Mislin (of IWFS) to attend an early historic tasting of 33 vintages of Chateau Latour back to 1881 over 3 consecutive Thursdays in September at the Anglo-Belgian Club at 6 Belgrave with 11 bottles served each evening. What an educational tour de force! On September 8, 1977 the master Harry Waugh (1904-2001 at 97 year old, Director of Latour from 1962) kicked it off with the thirties and forties highlighted by the best year of 1945 and a very old but unbelievable 1881. Fortunate to try again 1945 while helping John Avery decant many bottles of it before service at the final dinner at the Mansion House for the Andre Simon Centenary Convention from September 29 to October 3. What a majestic beauty! However, a surprise was how sound and well structured were all the other less heralded vintages. On September 15 Ted Hale MW (received MW 1960 & died in 1991) who was mentored by Harry at Harvey’s of Bristol commented expertly on the 11 vintages from 1949-1959 with some classic winners during this period including especially the oldest & youngest of this flight. On September 22 the wind-up session by Patrick Grubb MW (in 1958 the youngest MW at age 25) then with Sotheby’s (1973-1984) of 11 vintages from 1960-1970 with the amazing 1961 but quite a few lesser years this decade like 63, 65, 68, and 69 that still were most interesting. This tasting spurred me on into buying lots of 1970 which when well stored is still in great shape at 50+ and underrated today. Still seek it out wherever.
Our 100th dinner showed off lots of treasures including two prized bookends. First the 1998 Krug Vintage is dominantly Chardonnay (like the 1981) full 45+% in the blend with Pinot Noir 35+ & Meunier 19+ showing early ripening fruit from the very hot August weather yet lemony in captivating harmony. Drinking forwardly but more expressively Krug style as it aired and warmed in the glass. The last treat was the historic middle wine of that marvelous trio of 1988-1990 Chateau d’Yquem. Thought on release that perhaps 1989 may not have the structure with acid balance of 1988 or the rich powerful full opulence of 1990. Obviously all three vintages are outstanding but the 1989 was singing remarkable charming perfection this night in a 90 style but with some 88 vibrant subtlety botrytis.
The nine Latour vintages all seemed rather youthful (as expected) and though decanted just before service were still improving and opening up more in the glass hours later – a good sign. Some brief impressions:
2002 LATOUR: Website ratings – VERY GOOD. Early drought (November-April) Variable weather. Late harvest (25 Sept-17 Oct). Still primary aromas of dried herbs with positive acid and structure for aging. Promising.
1998 LATOUR: GOOD. Rainy harvest. Better earlier picked Merlots on the Right Bank. Property describes it as “like 1988 but riper & constitution of 86 but less austere”. Paling rim but like the cherry licorce classic style. Tannins could use more time to reach better plateau.
1995 LATOUR: GREAT. Hot dry Summer with big drought June, July, and August requiring green harvest July 17-August 4. Early September rains helped ripen grapes for picking Sept.13-27. Dark concentrated pure ripe fruit rounded with a medicinal touch of iodine plus both chocolate and mint. Rather nice and the surprise of the night. 1990 LATOUR: EXCEPTIONAL. Very dry Summer with rain Sept. 22 & 23 enabling the cab sauv to finish ripening. First year they made a generic Pauillac AC wine so better grapes were available for 2nd wine Les Forts and only the very high best quality selection for the Gran Vin. Expected dense rich classy with typical plums and cedar/tobacco. However your scribe found this bottle a little reluctant on the nose and though intense was a bit less powerful than some previous tastings. Needs more time to develop into an all time classic. Patience.
1989 LATOUR: GREAT. August 31- Sept 2 earliest vintage since 1893. Dropped 50% young vines bunches. Darker to the rim than 1990 surprises me. Opulent young but rather closed roasted rubber notes on the nose. Less personality and complexity than 1990. Did picking early resulting in a shorter hang time have an effect? Better bottle though than expected being less evolved with good concentration shown here.
1982 LATOUR: EXCEPTIONAL. Hail early May reduced the crop. Sept. 16-30 perfect harvest for rich sugars. Big expectations for 100 pointer. Delivers medium bodied but complete mature beauty so elegant and stylish. Open complex & charming indeed with smooth textures so amazing with these tannins now in sync on the long finish. Is exceptional. 1975 LATOUR: GREAT. Healthy harvest Sept. 25-Oct. 10 after heavy mid-Sept. rains. Property have compared it to 1955 or 1947. Browner rim evolving. Earthy and drier with those rougher tannins starting to mellow out so hope the fruit lasts. Brawny well built wine still has some freshness. Bottle variable. Improved considerably when paired with the excellent cuisine of quail porcini and foie gras!
1970 LATOUR: GREAT CLASSIC. Early April frost but late harvest from 28 Sept -17 Oct. Your scribe has enjoyed many bottles of this wine over nearly now 50 years. Never disappoints. Unfortunately, here was slightly cloudy from a last minute shaken bottle during delivery disturbing the heavy sediment. Nonetheless was dark, full powerful concentrated plummy spiced youngish fruit with cedar & dark chocolate. Delicious. Harry Waugh stated on his US Tour in 1986 that 1961 Latour “took some 25 years to blossom into all its glory and I predict something similar will happen to this 1970”. Admire how the rich tannins are evolving over time to raise the sweeter smoother character of this classic year. Lasting and developing on this plateau of superb enjoyment twice as long as Harry said it would take to blossom. Where well stored 1970 is a greatly underrated old style classic vintage. 1974 LATOUR: POOR. This was an extra blind mystery wine supplied by me to hopefully show how great this Chateau is even in off years. Some tasters guessed an off year of Latour but most thought it was younger and maybe a Super Second. Cool very humid weather in this poor year. It was now rather a pale colour as fruit is drying out past its peak so rather lean but the underlying unbalanced high acidity kept it fresh. Needs food. Shows you that vintage truly mattered in Bordeaux with their marginal climate in those days before the current climate change.
