Oak Valley has been producing Semillon for some years now, but it has never been bottled as a single variety until now. Their white Bordeaux-style blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon has always been a firm favourite; the Sauvignon Blanc alone has always been a winner, so it is no surprise that the other part of the blend is good on its own as well. Winemakers and critics alike have praised this Semillon and hopefully, with good examples like this, wine drinkers will explore and learn to love this variety as much as the other more well-known whites. The grapes for this wine were harvested in the cool, early morning hours. After pressing it was allowed time to settle before being transferred into barrels where spontaneous fermentation took place. Second and third fill barrels were used, and after fermentation the wine spent a further 9 months on the fine lees before bottling. The result is a rich wine with complex white stone fruit flavours and a fresh lime zesty finish. Semillon really delivers at its best if matured for a few years to develop the typical waxy notes, but when young, it is a refreshing alternative to Sauvignon Blanc, served ice cold on a summer’s evening.