Grosset Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Tasting Notes

The 2005 Grosset Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc appears almost plump and fleshy when tasted alongside the Grosset rieslings - as indeed it is. However, it is much tighter and leaner than most semillon sauvignon blancs. There is an uncharacteristic restraint about its ripe though cool fruit flavours – it is more nectarine and lime than gooseberry and lychee – with strong minerally notes. It is fine, delicate and clearly focused, vibrant, juicy and generous, with impressive weight and taut, refreshing acidity.

Although it will be deliciously different when young – when almost all of it will be drunk - it should benefit from short-term cellaring.

This is the fourteenth vintage of this unique (50:50) blend of Clare Valley semillon and Adelaide Hills sauvignon blanc.

James Halliday
Halliday's Top 101 The Weekend Australian (November 19-20 2005)
96 points
At the last moment I chose this wine rather than the always brilliant Grosset rieslings or, for that matter, the 2004 Chardonnay. Intense herb, spice and asparagus aromas foreshadow a flavoured, structured palate, which builds fruit intensity all the way through to the long finish.
Drink: Now-2009   
Region: Clare Valley/Adelaide Hills, SA

Nick Stock
Sumptuous Magazine (Spring 2005)
Sumptuous Seasonal Wine Recommendations
Jeff Grosset's skill with white wine is credited mostly as a result of his duo of Clare Valley Rieslings that consistently sit right at the head of the pack. His dry white blend is also a standout, blending Semillon from the Clare Valley with Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc to create a consistently excellent white with complexity and cool-climate elegance.
Pear fruits and lemon citrus aromas are ripe and lifted, working beautifully in sync.
The palate is compact and smoothly textured with flavours gliding effortlessly between passion fruit and lemon. It's crisp without being sharp, shows good length and great balance.
RRP $30.00

Campbell Mattinson
Winefront Monthly - Edition 37 (September 2005)
The pitch here is quite beautiful. It's juicy and fine and crisp, but there's a substance to the palate and a richness on the finish, with grassy lemony characters then once again reasserting as an after taste. It is very difficult not to be impressed by this wine. It's got good length, polish, richness and style, and the fruit has sweetness to its ripeness- within the confines of it being an acidic style.
Drink: 2005-2010
Rating: 92 points.

Published in Singapore by CH'NG Poh Tiong
Aussie Rules , a Guide to Australian Wine 2005
And the Wine Review , Singapore
As for the Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (three stars), the baby fat viscosity of the Semillon is apparent in the front but the sauvignon overtakes at the finish. The fruitiness of this 50/50, medium-bodied blend is very controlled minus the uncontrolled explosion of aromas (so quintessential in New Zealand Marlbourough sauvignons).

Nick Stock
Qantas The Australian Way (January 2006)
This dry white blend is always a standout, combining Semillon from the Clare Valley with Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc. Both work beautifully in sync on the nose, creating complexity with primary character. Palate is crisp, integrated and finely textured, offering passionfruit , lemon and cassis to close.