Meerea Park - 2003 'Terracotta' Semillon

2003 'Terracotta' Semillon Wine Notes

Wine Notes

Region: Hunter Valley
Alcohol: 11.0%
Seal: Screwcap

Background:
The ‘Terracotta’ wines get their name from the soils on which the fruit is grown. These red basalt/clay soils are renowned for their low fertility thus reducing the yield of the vine and increasing fruit concentration.

Fruit Source:
A small portion of fruit was harvested early from a high block on the Howard’s ‘Somerset’ vineyard.

Fermentation & Maturation:
The fruit was hand picked and fermented in stainless steel tanks. Bottling took place in July 2003 under screwcap.

Winemakers Comments:
2003 was a warm drought vintage that produced ripe and flavoursome Semillon fruit. Harvesting at the correct time was crucial so the fruit did not become over-ripe and as much natural acidity as possible was retained.

The nose is already toasty with a hint of lanolin. The palate is full and flavoursome with a line of acidy holding it in balance. A wine that can be enjoyed now.

Cellaring: Short to medium term.

What the experts say

"Has less depth than Alexander Munro, but more drive and intensity to the more focused lemon and mineral flavours, and pronounced citrussy acidity. To 2013." Rating 94.

James Halliday - 2009 Wine Companion

"This deliciously mature Hunter semillon is named after the terracotta coloured clay soil of the region. It reinforces Meerea Park as one of the best modern producers of this classic wine type. Lime-lemon sherbert and honeyed aromas have an earthy component, and the sustained flavour has freshness and a lingering savoury finish. "

Ralph Kyte-Powell - The Age Epicure - 28th April 2009

Other vintages: 2005 2004 1999

Latest News

2010 Hunter Valley Wine Show

20 Aug 2010

Meerea Park has had another successful Hunter Valley Wine Show winning 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 8 Bronze medals. 2010 is the 8th year in a row that we have won at least one Gold medal in this Wine Show.

Below are the medal winning wines.

2004 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - Gold - Class 15
2007 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - Gold - Class 27
2006 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - Gold - Class 32
1999 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - Silver - Class 22
2009 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - Silver - Class 32
2010 Verdelho - Bronze - Class 6
2009 'XYZ' Semillon - Bronze - Class 10
2009 'XYZ' Chardonnay - Bronze - Class 11
2006 'Howard Vineyard' Shiraz - Bronze - Class 13
2005 'Terracotta' Semillon - Bronze - Class 15
2006 'Alexander Munro' Shiraz - Bronze - Class 31
2008 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - Bronze - Class 32
2009 'Alexander Munro' Chardonnay - Bronze - Class 33

2011 Australian Wine Companion

29 Jul 2010

The 2011 edition of James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion was released yesterday with Meerea Park again being very highly awarded. Below is a summary of the ratings with the full reviews available at each individual wine's page.

2005 'Terracotta' Semillon - 96
2007 'Alexander Munro' Shiraz - 96
2008 'XYZ' Shiraz - 95
2009 'Hell Hole' Semillon - 94
2005 'Alexander Munro' Semillon - 94
2007 'Hell Hole' Shiraz - 94
2007 'Terracotta' Shiraz - 94
1999 'Alexander Munro' Shiraz - 94
2007 'The Aunts' Shiraz - 93
2008 Shiraz - 93
2009 'Alexander Munro' Chardonnay - 93
2009 'XYZ' Chardonnay - 93
2009 'XYZ' Semillon - 90

View all the recent news

Latest Releases

2010 Verdelho

2010 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

2009 Shiraz

2005 'Alexander Munro' Semillon

2005 'Terracotta' Semillon

2008 'XYZ' Shiraz

View more recent releases

Latest Reviews

"Today, Meerea Park's wines are some of the finest in the region, in fact the whites are some of the best of their type in the country".

Tim White - Australian Financial Review - 14th August 2009

"Delicious green-gold colour. Perfect mix of primary and secondary flavours. Hay, lanolin, lemon zest and lime. Great complexity. Great freshness. Length is good. The marvel of good Hunter Valley semillon? This is an example."Rated : 93 Points

Campbell Mattinson - The Winefront - 3rd September 2010

2002 'Alexander Munro' Semillon

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Wines & Tasing Notes

Red Wine

White Wine