-
95
/ 100
The Vintage Journal -
94
/ 100
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
93
/ 100
James Suckling
White
Classification
Semillon
Variety
2019
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
Australia
Country
South Australia, Barossa Valley
Region
10.5%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
95 / 100"Pale green gold. Surprisingly youthful with powerful lemongrass and citrus and hints of lanolin. Richly flavoured tonic water, citrus flavours, streamlined with long fine al dente textures. Finishes crisp, minerally and long. Very attractive now and for a while."
- The Vintage Journal
94 / 100
"The tasting of this 2019 Ancestor Vine Semillon is good because the last time I saw it was from tank. Today, the nose leads with lemongrass and lime zest, lemon oil and green leaf/cilantro. In the mouth, the wine is taut and littered with hay/straw. It's open-weave and spicy, a beauty. It was bottled unfiltered and is clear in the glass. The vineyard here was planted in 1848, and the vines are still producing today. It's a very impressive and humbling experience to walk among those old vines. 10.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
93 / 100
"Extremely old vines for the variety, unembellished with oak or excessive ripeness, in an endeavor to avoid a waxy lanolin sensation. That said, this light-weighted wine remains on tank lees for textural nourishment. Lemon drop, talc, quince paste, verbena and fennel, with a skein of juicy acidity dragging wonderful, crunchy length. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling
Tasting Notes
Sourced from a single vineyard at Light Pass, the 2019 Cirillo 1850 Ancestor Vine Semillon is harvested from some of the world's oldest Semillon vines, planted before 1850. Handpicked early in the season to retain high acidity, the fruit is basket pressed and tank fermented without oak, showcasing the vineyard’s unique character.
In the glass, this Semillon shines with a crystalline pale yellow hue and an iridescent green rim. The nose offers bright lemongrass, orange blossom, and a distinctive mineral character, while the palate is filled with sinewy structure and a focused acid line, delivering a textural experience with a perfect balance of sweet and sour.
This exciting Semillon, ideal for immediate enjoyment or cellaring, epitomizes Marco Cirillo’s dedication to quality and tradition, offering a piece of Barossa's history in every bottle.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity