Torbreck Woodcutter's Semillon 2024

The 2024 Woodcutter's Semillon is from a spectacular year in South Australia. It was warm and dry and everything good—"Goldilocks," in the words of winemaker Ian Hongell. On the back of the wet 2023 season, the soils were charged with moisture, and the growing year proceeded with calm and health. Everyone I met with so far, from both Barossa and McLaren Vale, has stars in their eyes about this vintage. Here, the wine leads with fresh-cut straw, lemon pith, green apple skin and white flowers. The wine is sleek on the palate; the phenolics are chalky and kick in through the middle palate and finish, but it remains a tightly focused, streamlined wine. I like the focus and detail here; the wine shows length and precision, but it has very little width and breadth, which are attributes in Barossa Semillon. Excellent. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Vibrant and fresh, with aromas of white nectarines, peaches and lemon pith. The palate is medium-bodied with focused acidity and a generous mouthfeel, giving notes of lime zest, chalk and mandarin rind. Easygoing with a nice texture. Drink or hold. Screw cap.