I used to be very easy-going with regards to white wines. I was once known to buy the 1.5 Liter bottle of Mondavi, any “flavor” was fine, and that would be my porch drinking wine in the afternoons. I always liked Sauv Blanc but Chardonnay was fine and same with Pinot Grigio. Well, one “negative” thing about the 52 Weeks of Wine Training Program is that it has made me much more particular about white wines.
I’m excited to say that Semillon is now a top contender on my list of favorite white wines! I’ve always been a Sauv Blanc fan but prefer lighter Sauv Blancs to the very tart wines that typically come out of South Africa and Australia. Additionally, though I typically pair wines with mood, Sauv Blanc pairs well with many grilled summer foods such as chicken, grilled veggies, and tacos. So, when I conducted the tasting of this wine, I was pleasantly surprised to find commonality between Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
The color is a straw yellow with a green hue and a light to medium body. The smell is of tropical fruits, lime and has a slight buttery nature. As for the taste, it maintains those buttery notes with citrus and pineapple. This Semillon has high acidity but is very pleasant. This is going to be my summer go-to wine! I would describe this wine as a mild Sauv Blanc.
The 2016 Silkman Semillon Hunter Valley typically retails for $18-21 and received a 91 point rating from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. I gave this wine a 5 out of 5 cork rating. Cheers!