This article appeared originally on The Wine Front

Posted on 29 November 2022 by Kasia Sobiesiak

I missed out on the previous Mount Pleasant event, so caught up with the Museum Release at Bentley Restaurant. I have to admit, it’s not an easy task reviewing wines of such gravitas, it’s quite daunting. Let alone realising they’ve been tasted, commented and studied in-depth by Campbell et al.. Not to mention the importance of the people who created them throughout the years. Well, let’s give it a go.

2017 Lovedale Semillon
There’s something very definitive about this wine, it penetrates your nostrils with confidence. Lemon balm, lavender, candle wax perfume and melting texture. It’s pure-pure, fine and doesn’t need hundreds of descriptors. Self-sufficient type. Teasingly suggesting and promising tertiary development with ultimate youthful, impish charm at the same time. Can be easily enjoyed now but it will keep for about forever and pleasure you along the way whenever you decide to open a bottle.
96+ points, 2022 – 2037+

GW: 92 points, tasted: Aug22, 2022 – 2029+

2014 Lovedale Semillon
Fresh as a daisy. Plenty of fleshy citrus but also whipped butter on toast. Jasmine and lemon blossom too. It hits top and bottom of the palate evenly. Flowery perfume and citrus pulp with almonds. The middle is filled with crushed rocks, slate. In a good spot now, but it will have many more sweet spots to come.
95+ points, 2022 – 2037+

GW: 95+ points, tasted: Jun14, 2024 – 2040

2005 Lovedale Semillon
(it wasn’t a part of this tasting but I wanted to add it here as tasted recently too)
Gold with distinct green reflections. Brine lemons, biting into and chewing on citrus skin, fresh sage leaves. Waxy texture with a generous dose of yellow grapefruit, green mango and parmesan rind. Butter toast crunch flavours, melting with cotton cushiness and tension all at once. Mint-lime and slate finish. Long and firm. Does the magic trick. On me. In a very satisfying spot at 17 years of age, stepping into adulthood.
95 points, 2022 – 2030

GW: 93 points, tasted: Jul11, 2011 – 2014+

1998 Lovedale Semillon
Amber in colour. A wine at 24 years of age hits different spots than a young wine. It strikes different chords. Toffee apples, marzipan and caramel nuts. Ripe quince, lots of dried citrus. It hits the tertiary territory with full potence. That being said, it’s not tired or falling apart, still has a bright spark. Dusty juice, oversteeped green-lemon tea with dried herbs and lavender.
95 points, drink now

CM: 95 points, tasted: Jan05, 2006 – 2013

1984 Elizabeth Semillon
Concentrated nose, nuttiness and umami tones. From under the flor elements, mushrooms, plush acid. It sits in the amontillado zone of aromatics. Yeasty and bruised, burnt orange peel nuance, but flavours still keep the vibrant flintiness going. Cool, fluffy and light like fairy floss. This is a different animal. It won’t go any further but it’s a treat. I think this wine may be very much a personal preference at this age but it’s kindred to some dry sherries and I love that so much.
95 points, drink now

CM: 87 points, tasted: Oct02, drink till – 2004

2014 Rosehill 1965 Vines Shiraz
25% new oak, I’ve been told. Toast and biscuits surface the wine at first sniff. Looking for the fruit et al., and I find concentrated cherries, raspberries, violets and liquorice. It rewards in the mouth with a surprising lightness of being. Layers of ground coffee, cloves and star anise. Palate redeems the nose more, it’s very fine-grained and refreshing in a way. Pumice tannins, all soaked in herb spice stew. Powerful and elegant. It evolves and opens up with time in glass. So much to unveil. Travels into potpourri, wet earth, dried leaves, the list goes on… impressive haunting perfume.
97+ points, 2025 – 2045+

CM: 98 points, tasted: Oct15, 2025 – 2055+
GW: 97+, tasted: Oct15, will go 50 years

2011 Mountain D Dry Red
Spicy oak showing layers of cloves, nutmeg and charred wood. Acidity keeps it vibrant. Game meat as a savoury element, then fresh leather, cherry glaze richness and abundance of oak aromas. The perfume is seductive and sweet. Dusty spice mouthful of tannins with tart savoury cranberries acidity to finish. Will this settle more? Perhaps.
93 points, 2023 – 2033+

CM: 92 points, tasted: Apr15, 2019 – 2034+

1987 Rosehill Hermitage
Dried cherry, cranberry, marzipan, nougat, lots of luscious oak. Palate is still fairly vibrant, with filigree texture, pinot-like tannins, so light. Walnuts and peat, dried leaves and moss. Old polished leather, decomposing wood, truffles. Drinks softly but it’s all tertiary with dried coffee beans, rum and dark chocolate bonbon. It has a charm of a developed wine, no doubt.
94 points, drink now
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2014 Old Hill 1880 Vines Shiraz
Coffee, milk chocolate pralines. Undeniable concentration and mouthcoating flavours go forever with spicy power. Layers of intense red and black berries. Dark earth, herbs, spice, perfume. Big bursts of flavour. It’s extracted but also graceful. This wine just is. Lots happening but there’s certain calmness in this abundance of aromas and flavours. Harmony. It needs more time to be tamed. A beautiful beast.
96+ points, 2024 – 2040+

CM: 95 points, tasted: Dec15, 2020 – 2040+

2000 Maurice O’Shea Shiraz
This wine defines the ultimate density of colour, fruit and flavour. Cherry, nutmeg, anise mix. Sage, basil, cool citrus peel, dark earth, hazelnuts. The palate feels like a counterbalance, being delicate and lifted, but compliments it too. It’s a relationship, lovers and partners and best friends at once. Push and pull. Fullness. Then comes savoury-sweet soy sauce, cherry reduction. There’s so much future in this wine. Lots of oak, no doubt, but fruit intensity is remarkable and handles it well, plus the long length. It has all it needs to keep on going.
95+ points, 2022 – 2032+

CM: 93 points, tasted: Jan05, 2010 – 2018

When is the next dinner?