The first thing that strikes one about this wine is not the colour or aroma but the back label, most of which is devoted to explaining why the name has changed from White Burgundy to White Classic (it's all because of "international trade agreements", apparently). In any case, this is the same venerable dry white blend that has been a budget priced staple for many years. I've never been entirely sure of the blend of grapes that goes into this wine, and at the risk of inflating this entry's tags beyond reasonableness, have determined that it contains Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Verdelho and Sauvignon Blanc. Phew.
Surprisingly complex aromas that also show what appears to be a bit of honeyed bottle age. A mix of this sweet honey and powdery florals, slightly thick smelling and overlaying more reticent honeydew-like fruit. It actually smells a bit like cheap perfume. The entry is slippery but without immediate flavour, and it's only towards the end of the middle palate that fruit flavour begins to build. Flavours are again in the light melon and perhaps apple spectrum, quite tasty, but lacking what I would call "integrity" in its flavour profile. Some wines present flavours that somehow add up to a satisfying whole -- this wine seems more scatterbrained. Flavour continues to build towards the after palate, and the wine finishes with subtle, bitter phenolics. There's also relatively lively acidity running the length of the palate, which is refreshing and helps the flavours gain some impact.
I'm not sure what to make of this wine. Clearly, it's exceptional value for money, and it's quite different from your run of the mill Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon or Chardonnay. That in itself worth something. But when it comes time to assess what's in the glass, I'm having a hard time getting particularly excited. It does the job. That's about it. I believe this wine ages well (although I've never tried an older example). Perhaps, like our beloved Hunter Semillon, this may turn into something unexpectedly interesting with time.
Houghton
Price: $A8
Closure: Cork (!)
Date tasted: December 2007
Surprisingly complex aromas that also show what appears to be a bit of honeyed bottle age. A mix of this sweet honey and powdery florals, slightly thick smelling and overlaying more reticent honeydew-like fruit. It actually smells a bit like cheap perfume. The entry is slippery but without immediate flavour, and it's only towards the end of the middle palate that fruit flavour begins to build. Flavours are again in the light melon and perhaps apple spectrum, quite tasty, but lacking what I would call "integrity" in its flavour profile. Some wines present flavours that somehow add up to a satisfying whole -- this wine seems more scatterbrained. Flavour continues to build towards the after palate, and the wine finishes with subtle, bitter phenolics. There's also relatively lively acidity running the length of the palate, which is refreshing and helps the flavours gain some impact.
I'm not sure what to make of this wine. Clearly, it's exceptional value for money, and it's quite different from your run of the mill Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon or Chardonnay. That in itself worth something. But when it comes time to assess what's in the glass, I'm having a hard time getting particularly excited. It does the job. That's about it. I believe this wine ages well (although I've never tried an older example). Perhaps, like our beloved Hunter Semillon, this may turn into something unexpectedly interesting with time.
Houghton
Price: $A8
Closure: Cork (!)
Date tasted: December 2007
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