Chapman Grove Reserve Semillon 2016 - Margaret River, Western Australia

94/100 James Halliday
5 Red Star Winery - James Halliday

James Halliday “A relative rarity as a single variety in Margaret River, usually coupled with sauvignon blanc. It has nettle, cut grass, snow pea and citrus aromas and flavours, and will absolutely burst into song when 5yo, adding dimensions of flavour and structure.”

The Winemaker “Pale straw with a subtle green tinge. The nose is lifted and floral with attractive nettle and grassy notes. The palate is crisp and lively with a lovely fine persistent acidity forming the backbone of the wine; the Semillon is identified with intense lime lemon and grassy flavours and a touch of lanolin, and tropical fruits from the sauvignon blanc. The intense flavours and balanced acidity highlight a lovely textural experience on the finish.”

Chapman Grove Wines is a small winery focussed on making limited edition fine wines from Margaret River, Western Australia. Described by Australia's N#1 wine critic, James Halliday as "a very successful venture", the winery is known for its highly rated wines and was established in 2005 by an esteemed veteran of the industry, Ron Fraser. Pop Up Wine has secured back vintages of a collection of its highly rated wines.

Chapman Grove focusses on producing exceptional fruit which is all 100% estate grown to create its world-class wines. Its range includes varieties most suited to the Margaret River climate, with French oak used to bring out flavours of the terroir, creating a true expression of the region. The winery achieved the highly coveted 5 Red Star rating from James Halliday within three short years of first entering the Wine Companion in 2009.

Margaret River is one of the best-known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined cabernet sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces Semillon sauvignon blanc blends and shiraz.

Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to
the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.

Sémillon is one of the wine world's unsung heroes. The gold-skinned grape produces France's most famous and revered sweet wines, notably Sauternes, and some of the greatest dry white wines of Australia - particularly those in the Hunter Valley.