- Barossa Valley, SA - $19-$30
- Cork
- 13.5%alc
Although largely followed for their reds, Rockford also make one of South Australia's most interesting semillons (and a handy Eden Valley riesling too). Rockford's Semillon typically displays richness, weight, bold flavours and in this case, higher alcohol, contrasting the Hunter's benchmarks not just when it comes to style, but also choice of closure.
Blushingly golden/yellow and quite frankly deliciously scented, this 5 year old Rockford Semillon throws up a strong, equally pungent and savoury aroma of lanolin, cream and nuts, with notes of lime juice and preserved lemon imparting vitality. It certainly smells more developed, savoury and notably richer than what you'd expect from a top-flight Hunter sem of a similar age, but it still appears fresh, inviting and loaded with varietal character. Furthermore, its palate drinks a treat. It's quite round, juicy and generously flavoured, with a delightful touch of cream supplying both taste and texture to its complex unison of classic flavours; reflecting beeswax and butter with squeaky clean lemon inputs and a nutty aftertaste. To balance the richness, an ever present, stringy acidity straddles along gracefully, providing a clean, refreshing backbone without any implication of physical domination, making this adorably complex Barossa semillon just perfect for drinking over the next few years.
ü+ Certainly built in a more openly accessible sense, Rockford's 2006 Local Growers remains fresh, beautifully composed, complex and deliciously hedonistic, and it's worth an extra point for that. Great value Barossa semillon. Bucking the trend. Drink to 2015.
92 points
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