Meerea Park - 2008 'Epoch' Semillon

2008 'Epoch' Semillon Wine Notes

Wine Notes

Region: Hunter Valley

Alcohol: 10%

Background:
epoch : An interval of time memorable for extraordinary events and important influences.

Semillon is traditionally the first fruit harvested in the Hunter Valley each year for still wine production. For Meerea Park, this signals the commencement of each vintage and this is our ‘epoch’.

Fruit Source:
Crafted from Semillon sourced from the Howard family’s “Somerset” vineyard in Pokolbin. The Semillon block was planted in 1968.

Fermentation & Maturation:
The hand-picked fruit was fermented entirely in stainless steel then bottled under Stelvin to capture the varietal freshness of this variety as well as protecting from TCA cork taint.

Winemaker’s comments:
2008 was one of the wettest Hunter Valley vintages in memory that virtually annihilated the red grape crop. Semillon once again triumphed from the great vineyard sites in Pokolbin delivering premium fruit against the odds.

Tasting note:
The nose shows lemon rind, newly cut grass and fresh lettuce fruit characters. The palate has a distinct lemon dominance, along with the associated acid backbone that gives the wine wonderful focus. Low alcohol, (10%) coupled with a great length of flavour makes this a great Semillon for drinking now or for medium term cellaring.

Cellaring: 7-10 years

What the experts say

“There’s a bit of free sulphur at the moment and then citrus and stonefruit - almost a tropical richness and pleasant grass and lettuce overtones. It’s bright, juicy and balanced in the mouth - not austere with just a dab of sweetness to help it along. It’s excellent now and fairly bursts with flavour, the length and overall package just bang on. I’d not cellar it - it’s a perfect low alcohol white for drinking over the next few summers.” Rated : 92 Points.

Gary Walsh—The Wine Front—January 2008

"Right in the mainstream of young Hunter Valley semillon, its future assured; grass, herb and lemon zest flavours are supported and balanced by crisp acidity." Rating 94.

James Halliday - 2010 Australian Wine Companion

Other vintages: 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

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

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