But if banana on the nose. Almost—almost—leans into a petrol/rubber hose/Riesling note. Moves into green apple and flinty, minerally notes on the palate. Highly acidic. — 7 days ago
Bright mid yellow. Citrus with wet straw, lanolin and a faint paraffin note. On the palate such purity with that zesty citrus and those waxy lanolin notes you get with mature Semillon. Enough acid to propel this wine into the 2030’s to achieve 25 years of age. Lovedale is one of the leading Semillons in the Hunter Valley - the vineyard being planted by Maurice O’Shea in 1946 and the first vintage in 1950. This was my first of 4 bottles, so , fun times ahead!! A multi Trophy winner in National Wine Shows. — 7 months ago
Opaque black dark red colour with a bright red to dark hue. Smoky dark plum and liquorice scents and peppered clove scents Rich plum and liquorice fruits carry good weight and it has a plush feel across the palate. Scorched earth, dried meats, Very polished tannins yet structurally sturdy and firm. The long finish has black pepper characters. — 4 days ago
A mid straw yellow in colour. Aromas are lemon and lime, lemongrass, mineral, wet hay with toastiness and lanolin starting to emerge at 13 years of age. Light bodied but great intensity - a richer texture for a Semillon, bearing in mind that this wine sees no oak at all - stainless steel all the way. Only 11% alcohol. Luckily I have 4 bottles left - a cellar life extending to 2030+. — 4 months ago
Quite light green tinged , straw colour . Not very intense on the nose with some herbal hints cut herbs , citrus peel , light floral notes . On the palate this has quite good intensity , quite fresh with cut herbs , citrus , grapefruit and a saline, creamy texture . Balanced alcohol and quite good salty , sea spray , herbal tinged finish . Drinking well now and over the next 3-4 years . — 19 days ago
Got careless and held this longer than intended. Didn’t matter. It was near perfect. — 3 months ago
Deep Ruby in colour. Strong earthy stony aromas with deep ripe plum plus red and black fruits. An example of a Hunter Valley wine trying to be like a South Australian Shiraz - too ripe and full bodied. “Clumsy” HH said when it was first released. Thankfully wine makers lately in the Hunter have returned to the old medium weight, savoury, “sweaty saddle “ style. Returning to this 2005, this is more full bodied and rich but the quality of the very old vines planted by Maurice O’Shea pulls it over the line as a high quality wine. The more recent vintages of Maurice O’Shea are of extreme quality (2014 - 99 points), back to what the Hunter does best, and will live for decades. — 7 months ago
Ray Vanderhoff
Light golden color. Aromas of straw/hay, wet stones and Asian pear. Flavors of green melon, key lime, sour quince, beeswax, dried herbs and lemon zest. Touch of minerality on the lingering and quite refined finish. Mouth coating oily texture. Medium acidity and plush texture. Only 11% Alcohol. Quite unique and interesting. Solid QPR. — 3 days ago