Henschke Louis Semillon 2004 Eden Valley. Waitrose £13-ish

Very nice, intense, lime, nut-oil, still young. I have also had the ’05, enjoyed this more but that could have something to do with the fresh Sea Bass caught a couple of hours earlier just off Porthgain harbour, pan-fried and consumed with the wine

Henshke Louis Semillon 2004 Waitrose 12.99

Some wax on the nose. Good varietal character, but very textured. Would need food.

- seems like I agree with you ref the sea bass.

12/04/2006

_________________
mel

Tried to get one of these, but failed. But surely it needs at least ten years?

You may have a point Mark but it’s so difficult to keep ones hands off when it is just sitting in the rack beckoning you…

I think there is an argument for and against, depends on what you want from it, the qualities offered with youth, bright fruit flavours, freshness etc or what aging offers, nutty, honeyed tones, harmony, complexity. What foods are you matching it with could influence a decision too.

The wine certainly has the potential to age although I would not hesitate to open an '04 or '05 again. I plan to grab some more next time Waitrose put it back on offer, I doubt I will get an '04 again though.

I've loved the few old Aussie Semillons I've had, and even the cheaper ones very seem to improve for 7 or 8 years no problem (eg the Tyrells one that M&S used to have).

I actually have the opposite problem - too much wine stashed all over the place, thanks to my lust for buying more new stuff to try, and of course getting more of the really good ones to see how they age, and then there's that bargain price I just couldn't resist...