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The Optimist Old Vine Semillon 2016
South Eastern Australia
Hunter Valley Old Vine Semillon is Australia’s most iconic white wine. It rates among the world’s finest but doesn’t come cheap. Bob Berton’s Optimist from Riverina is a great introduction to this dry style with delicious, fresh, honeyed lemon fruit.
Beyond the Label
Tasting notes
Ripe and creamy with lemony fruit, lovely balance and length
Aroma
Lemon zest and hints of fresh grass clippings
No variety is more closely aligned to Australia’s sense of individuality than Semillon thanks to its legendary Hunter Valley examples. The Optimist is certainly crafted with these icons in mind, but made in a fresher, more accessible style. It’s from Bob Berton, an optimist by nature and a great winemaker. He started off as an accountant, advising wineries on how to run their business. But he had never run one himself. So he joined a cellar to get some experience and has never looked back, finally setting up on his own in Riverina in 2006. He’s already gained a listing in James Halliday’s definitive Australian Wine Guide. Pure Semillon, cool fermented and lees-aged, it’s a satisfying white – great to serve solo or with white meats or ham.
For the 2014 vintage
