2013 Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon
2013 Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon
"A beautiful example of developing Hunter Semillon. Waxy, lanolin notes, kaffir lime, hay and honey toast. The palate still has fine acidity, keeping everything in line, but with those lovely aged characters adding so much complexity. Stunning."
Felix Gentle
$68.99 (buy 6 or more)
$69.99 per single bottle
Love it or your money back*
On orders
over $300*
"A beautiful example of developing Hunter Semillon. Waxy, lanolin notes, kaffir lime, hay and honey toast. The palate still has fine acidity, keeping everything in line, but with those lovely aged characters adding so much complexity. Stunning."
Felix Gentle
Love it or your money back*
On orders Over $300*
The magic of Hunter Valley Semillon can never be underestimated, and this absolute icon is in such good form here. Still a baby, the 2013 Lovedale is destined to be a 30 year wine (if you can keep your hands off it).
Expert Reviews
As if by alchemy, with age semillon slips into a toasty, butter brioche, lime-marmalade and waxy realm without its acidity wavering. This certainly has freshness and plenty of years ahead of it, but that magical 5-years-before-release-date includes all the other complex stuff.
Crisp and clear, perfume and hints of fennel, lime. Light, tight and very direct with great drive and clean minerally acidity, a tiny amount of chalkiness, and a very long citrus finish. Austere and traditional, though seems much 'cleaner' than your usual Lovedale. Bracing. Not a wine for now, but great things in store.'
A wine with lemons, hints of flint and a peach-skin undertone. Medium to full body, excellent acidity and a clean finish.'
Already a little smoky. Wax and honey. Very slight nose - but super concentration and full texture on the palate, despite the low alcohol. Beautiful lime fruit - quite Riesling-esque.' 17+ / 20 Points
Tech stuff
Light
Full
How's it taste?
A classic vintage of Lovedale - hay and lemon rind aromas with pristine acidity and exceptional length.
How was it made?
Appearance: Pale Straw.
Nose: Intense citrus and lemongrass combine with bottle age characters of lanolin and toast.
Palate: Concentrated fruits of lemon and lime, beautiful acidity driving through the palate showcasing the amazing length of this wonderful aged style.
Who made it?
McWilliams Mount Pleasant has a long and proud history in the Hunter Valley with some of the earliest vines planted in the region. The property was first used for viticulture by English immigrant Charles King whom settled there in 1880, when he planted the Old Hill vineyard. In 1921 legendary winemaker Maurice O' Shea, after which the top Mount Pleasant Shiraz is named, bought the property from King and extended it before naming his vineyards Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant was acquired in full by the Griffith-based McWilliams family in 1941, but O' Shea was kept on as Chief Winemaker. The story of O’Shea is particularly memorable as he managed to craft supreme expressions of Hunter Valley red wines without modern winemaking tools, and in what was at the time a largely unheralded region. Some of his vintages from the 1940’s and 1950’s are still drinking well to this day. O’Shea was also responsible for planting two great additional sites, those being the Lovedale Semillon vineyard on sandy soils at the base of Lovedale Road and the Rosehill Vineyard on Volcanic soils on the Broke Road. Mount Pleasant primarily specializes in two varietals – those being Semillon and Shiraz. For the Semillons, the Lovedale is their finest expression, and one of the best and most long lived in the Hunter Valley. Beneath that are the Phil Ryan Signature and old favourite Elizabeth. For Shiraz, the Maurice O’Shea resides at the top of the quality tree below which are the single vineyard Old Paddock and Old Hill, Rosehill Shiraz with the Phillip always well priced and usually sourced solely from the Hunter Valley.
Not quite what you’re looking for?
Felix Gentle
Wine Panel Manager
Choosing wine can be really tricky. Even when you get recommendations from others, what's to say their tastes match yours? But don't despair! If you're not into this particular wine, have a look through some of the others below. Remember - one of the great joys of wine, is tasting through the wide range of styles and varieties to find your specific taste. Happy exploring!
