JEFF Grosset has produced an exciting unwooded Semillon Sauvignon Blanc from the great 2012 South Australian vintage that is so good it is difficult to see how any winery could release a finer example.
With regards to the vintage, James Halliday in his just released and essential wine reference The Australian Wine Companion 2013 says, “I cannot remember a vintage having received such hyperbolic praise right across the board, covering all regions and all varieties, as there is for 2012.
Words that came up repeatedly were ‘fantastic’, ‘outstanding’, ‘sensational’, ‘best in my lifetime’, ‘perfect in every way’.”
Halliday has not reviewed Grosset’s 2012 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc yet but has listed the 2011 release as the only non- West Australian among his 17 highest pointed SSB blends tasted over the past 12 months – and the 2012 is far superior.
The perspective on this extraordinary Semillon Sauvignon Blanc can be summed up succinctly and accurately by my wine column discussing the same wine’s 2008 vintage!
I wrote: “The Clare Valley’s Jeffrey Grosset has not only produced what would appear to be Australia’s best (unwooded) Semillon Sauvignon Blanc from the vintage, for perhaps the fourth or fifth time in 10 years, but this year he has also produced the finest of this blend that has ever crossed the tasting table.
“Jeffrey’s SSBs are not cheap and, in fact, they are quite expensive – and perhaps even the most expensive – but they come in tiny quantities and are often the finest of their style.
“Jeffrey is not interested in soft, fresh, zesty flavours for appeal, he is only interested in dense, intense and long fruit and a wine structure of classic style.
“The Grosset Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is ground breaking in style with its serious, intense and restrained, fleshy characters and high acidity, which is enveloped by the latent power and density of the fragrant, fine-knit and textured fruit characters and mouthfeel.
This will live certainly for two years and perhaps for three and, even with a price of over $30, it remains value.”
A great SSB.
18.5 points and $35 RRP.