Gundog Estate Off-Dry Semillon 2023
- 92
- $25
- Drink by: 2023-2031
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Fascinating to see a wine at only 7.5% alcohol, which I think is even a little lower than last year’s thoroughly enjoyable offering. The style provides a pleasing mix of low alcohol and slight sweetness (the wine usually includes some pressings and filter solids of both the Chase Semillon and the Hunter Semillon, which adds a touch of complexity). The colour is near transparent. The nose is fragrant with citrus, florals and even a touch of lemonade aromas with gentle spices. Excellent balance between sweetness and acidity, not always easy to achieve with this style, and a lovely clean finish. There is certainly a touch of sweetness on the finish, which helps to fill out the wine. No reason that this won’t sail through six to eight years, but quite delicious now.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
