Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
Alcohol: 11.5%
Available in government ($13.72) and private stores
I recently had the opportunity to attend a tasting led by Stuart Blackwell, the senior winemaker at St Hallett. We tasted some of their top wines, but started with their entry-level white, the Poacher’s Blend. This wine has been one of those wines that I keep coming back to, as it is nice to drink and a good value.
The Poacher’s Blend is a blend of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. Stuart says that they start with a 60% – 40% blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc and then add the Riesling to get the right blend. (The Riesling usually ends up being between 8% and 12% of the blend.) The Semillon is picked at three different times, with the different pickings adding complexity, acid, and greater balance.
The wine is a pale straw colour, with aromas of tropical fruit and lime. It has a full and viscous mouth feel, without being heavy. The tropical fruit (especially pineapple and melon) carries through, as does the lovely lime and citrus flavours. There is a nice floral lift to the wine and the crisp acid is obvious without being strong. The finish lingers softly and has a crisp end.
This wine goes well with most white fish, including rich seafood (e.g., crab) and those with light cream sauces. (The acid in the wine helps cut through the richness of the sauce, while the richness of the fruit compliments the creaminess.) That said, this is also a nice wine on its own and the lighter alcohol can make for a nice start to a dinner.
Wine Matters! 