It's customary to bang on about this classic label in terms of its value for money. To be sure, I love that I'm able to purchase a wine held back from release until its point of maturation for under $A15 (and I paid somewhat over the odds,too). It's especially ironic that McWilliams persists with its release strategy across the Mount Pleasant range when other labels, including some premiums, are pushed out earlier and earlier, very much to the detriment of the consumer who might like to obtain at least a little enjoyment soon after purchase.
What I'm reminded of as I taste this wine, though, is that it exists on its own terms as a standard bearer of the style, and in many ways is its most important example (if one considers availability indicative of influence). You can almost always find a bottle of Elizabeth at your local bottle shop and, unlike the modern "drink now" breed of Hunter Semillons, it represents a pure view of the region's character.
Lovely golden butter colour. The nose is pure aged Semillon with a rich, tropical twist. I was tempted to describe it as atypical, but on reflection I'm just a little surprised that it's so ready and approachable right now. There's a soft fruitiness to this wine's nose that comes across as almost dessert wine in character, though the palate confirms total dryness. Perhaps some noble rot? Otherwise there's everything one might expect, with perhaps more honey and less toast than usual. Attractively fleshy.
The palate retains some spritzig that cuts through the richness of the flavour profile and contributes overall freshness and shape. Waxy lemons ride the entry and widen to a juicier expression of aged Semillon on the middle palate. Here, intensity isn't at the level one might wish, but equally there's such elegance and style. A luxurious, slippery mouthfeel vies for sensual attention with the acid structure, finally winning out as it slides along the back palate, carrying seductive flavour with it. Reasonable, softly honeyed finish.
For my taste, this is ready to rock now. I'm especially pleased that my bottle was sealed under Stelvin, so I'm slightly more confident that subsequent bottles will drink similarly to this one.
TNs match mine (which may well be a worry!). Had another half bottle tonight, rest went to the neighbours. I think I may like this more than the 02, but in the end it doesn't really matter. Different vintages, different wines. Will you be laying any down Julian, and if so, how long?
Cheers
jeremy
I'll take it as a good sign. :) It's an interesting wine, this one, and not what I expected. 1999 Elizabeths, for example, are drinking a lot younger at the moment. But it's pretty delicious nonetheless.
I was slightly dismayed by the lack of intensity on the middle palate, so I probably won't cellar any, but if I were to, I'd retaste in two years to see how it's travelling. I had the rest of my bottle on day two and, surprisingly, it tasted younger. It's certainly not about to fall over.
Okay, spent some serious time with this to try and work out where it's coming from.
I do view it as one of the most atypical Lizzys I've tasted, mostly for the reasons we discussed. That is, apart from lacking in the mid palate, it does have "something" more.
I think the tropical fruits are a big factor. Was even thinking hints of apple and, wait for it...subtle but good suggestion of real cavendish banana (don't like banana of any sort in my wine usually).
This is offset by hints of aniseed, maybe fennel or dill, and spritz. So that's my final take on it, but obviously not the final take on it. I don't think I've worked it out, but I do know I like it.
cheers
jeremy
So when's your blog coming? :) Hey, I even have a name for it: Pringle's Plonk. It's a winner!
Had been looking for a name ;)