Wines

A meal without a Haan Wine is like a day without sunshine

2008 Hahenhof Semillon

PHILOSOPHY

This wine continues the philosophy of the Hanenhof vineyard of making fine table wines of distinctive varietal character and individual style. The wine is 100% Semillon grown on the estate.

WINEMAKING

The grapes were handpicked into 500 kg bins where they were allowed to stand in a coolroom for 24 hours to allow for some skin contact to maximize varietal definition. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel tank at a cool 12 to 14°C to retain the fresh fruit characters of this variety. The wine remained on yeast lees where it was stirred weekly to provide the generous mouthfeel in the mid palate.

STYLE

Strong varietal characters of citrus and freshly cut hay are very obvious on the aroma, with an underlying bouquet of tropical fruits. The palate is lively and crisp, with rich flavours of passionfruit and pineapples. This intense fruit is well balanced by a steely mineral-like acidity which gives length and persistence.

Firm bodied fish, veal, pasta, stuffed squid and stir fries are recommended food accompaniments.

Best served around 10°C, i.e. just off the chill.

VITICULTURE

The fifty year old Semillon vines are grown in sand over deep clay, in the central Barossa Valley. The vines are pruned to rod and spur with moving foliage wires to expose the fruit to maximum sunlight.

AWARDS

The 2002 Haan Semillon was a finalist (Top 15%) in the 2003 Sydney International Wine Competition. More than 1,900 wines from 14 countries were judged in the competition.

REVIEWS

[Haan Wines] continue to display a steady hand crafting wines with exuberant, super-concentrated, ripe fruit. The 2002 Semillon offers waxy, lanolin-like fruit, medium to full body, nicely integrated wood, plenty of texture, but not yet a great deal of complexity. Pure and concentrated, it should drink well for 5-6 years.

The 2001 Semillon (from a 50-year-old block of vines) spent three months in neutral French oak prior to bottling. Explosive aromas of figs, candle wax, and citrus are followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy, ripe wine with excellent underlying acidity as well as terrific purity. Consume this serious Semillon over the next 2-3 years.
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 2002

AVAILABILTY

Only 250 dozen made in 2008. In cartons of one dozen 750ml bottles.