First Taste of Sémillon And Two-Fold Experiences With Shiraz - Tin Soldier and (More Impressively) Iron Gate Estate

The first time I have tried, or even heard of, Sémillon, was also my first time in the Hunter Valley. Known as the iconic wine of the Hunter Valley,  Sémillon is used to make dry or sweet whites, and is often paired with spicy foods and seafoods. A perfectly light and fruity accompaniment to our foods back home. 

We were first introduced to Sémillon at Tin Soldier. Light yellow in appearance and slightly acidic on the nose, it washed down our throats light, slightly dry and with hints of citrus and lemon. 

We were then asked to try Sémillon that had been aged several years. Sam drew our attention to the deeper golden hues of the aged Sémillon. Sémillon, over time, takes on a darker colour and develops nutty, buttery notes which we got to taste first hand and were left feeling impressed and wanting more. Observing the shades of yellow in a Sémillon would get any Sémillon-loving connossieur guessing excitedly about the degree of richness it has taken on with its age. 

At Iron Gate Estate, we tasted Sémillon which was heavier in colour and in flavour. More interestingly, we were treated to the 2010 Sweet Mandala, which was a mix of Sémillon and Verdelho, unwooded. Before the 2010 Sweet Mandala, we were treated to a round of sugar coated butter fingers to sugar levels in our taste buds. This made sure that our tastebuds, previously left dry and acidic by their Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, would not be overpowered by the sweetness of the 2010 Sweet Mandala and would be prepped to sample and appreciate the balance between the aromas of peaches, apricots and tangerines, and the characteristic citrus and lemon flavours of the Sémillon. We found the 2010 Sweet Mandala the perfect go-between for wine-drinkers who preferred something sweeter but found the dessert wines made from the Botrytis infected Sémillon variety overpoweringly sweet

We also had the chance to try some of Tin Soldier's Shiraz 2010. Most of us didn't enjoy the oak notes on first taste. After reading this from our wrinkled faces, George picked up a wine glass, cupped its rim with his palm securely, and, much to our surprise, gave it a good hard shake. He then told us he was just aerating the wine, and to much appreciated effect! - The oak flavours were significantly mellowed and the fruity undertones were more pronounced. George had very simply created two wine tasting experiences out of the same glass of wine.

Our experience with Iron Gate Estate's 2010 Sweet Shiraz was also two-fold. Our first sip drew lightly sweet and fruity flavours with a very slight spicy finish. We were then served as chocolate cake and urged us to take another sip. And wow this time, the Sweet Shiraz rolled in our mouths like chocolate coated cherries. It felt like we were gulping down a mouthful of black forest cake. It came as no surprise then when we were told the 2010 Sweet Shiraz is one of Iron Gate Estate's top sellers. 

Image courtesy of weekendnotes.com

Image courtesy of irongateestate.com

It also came as no surprise when Sam told us Iron Gate Estate is one of the Hunter Valley's top wineries. Unlike big players like Penfolds and Brown Brothers, Iron Gate Estate grows their own grapes, which are then handpicked for wine-making. They get to control the quality of each and every grape. The team at Iron Gate Estate are so particular about their grapes that they forewent a year of wine-making after less than ideal weather conditions last year. 

And their precision has seemed to paid off - each wine we tasted was notably more aromatic and with fuller body, than the ones we had at Tin Soldier, or any other wines I have personally tasted in my very young and uninformed wine-sampling pursuits. Special mention should be made on the 2010 Premium Shiraz which was full of fruity flavours balanced with the right tinge of oak with a very smooth liquorice finish. I never thought I could enjoy a red but I now think I can with Iron Gate Estate.

We all very much enjoyed our experience at Iron Gate Estate. Each of us left with a bottle of our personal favourites in tow, eager to recreate the experience back home. 

IRON GATE ESTATE
Oakey Creek Road 
Polkolbin
NSW 2320
Australia