Sémillon
Highly susceptible to noble rot (botrytis cinerea), Semillon is the cornerstone of great Bordeaux sweet wines, particularly those of Sauternes, Barsac and Monbazillac. When harvested late, Semillon produces concentrated, rich and often creamy wines, with moderate acidity and a broad, velvety texture. These are exceptionally age-worthy wines that develop increasing complexity over time, revealing notes of honey, candied apricot, beeswax, dried fruit and sweet spice.
But Semillon is far from confined to sweet wines. It is also made as a dry white, particularly in Entre-deux-Mers and Pessac-Léognan, where it is frequently blended with Sauvignon Blanc. Semillon brings fullness, richness and body to the blend, tempering the natural vibrancy of Sauvignon Blanc. Some Bordeaux estates also produce 100% Sémillon wines with impressive tension. A relatively vigorous and hardy variety, Semillon has also enjoyed considerable success in Australia, where it has become a signature of the Hunter Valley. There it produces dry, lively, highly age-worthy wines that evolve slowly in bottle, gaining depth and complexity with age.
Several iconic Bordeaux estates have made Semillon the soul of some of their greatest wines, including Château d’Yquem, Château La Mission Haut-Brion and Château Rieussec.
