2017 Tim Adams Wines Sémillon

100% Semillon. 30-year-old vines at 330 m elevation, on red clay and loam over shale and limestone. 12.5–28.4 °C mean growing season temperature range. 12–18 hours’ pre-fermentation maceration. 60% fermentation in new French hogsheads, 40% in stainless steel. No MLF. Nine months’ maturation on lees, in fermentation vessels, without bâtonnage, then 12 months’ maturation without lees in stainless steel. TA 6.4 g/l, pH 3.19, RS 0.07 g/l. 19,698 litres made. Tasted blind. Pale lemon-gold. Bold toasty character, with some nutty oak beneath. Struck match and wax. Rich, but plenty of Semillon character. A ripe mouthful of lemon, with toast, nut and lanolin. Brisk acidity holds the richness in check. Good length too. (TJ)