wine of the week

20th December 2009

Tim Adams, Semillon 2008, Australia
Semillon is something of an unsung hero: a grape that does not often get star billing, yet which can be quite brilliant. It is one of the main grapes behind all famous white Bordeaux wines - including Sauternes - and its other main stronghold is in Australia, where it is planted widely in the Hunter and Barossa Valleys, and, as in this example, the Clare Valley. Tim Adams ferments and ages his Semillon in oak, and that adds a depth of gently toasty and honeyed richness to the fat, waxy lemon fruit. On the palate this has a mouth-filling, expansive texture, with lots of that creamy, fat lemon fruit and a hint of something more tropical. Long, pure and zestily clean, it will also age for a decade - and would be a great Christmas day wine with the weight to cope with turkey, but the crispness to match to smoked salmon too. £9.99, Tesco.

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