JJ Hahn Riverflat Barossa Valley Semillon 2003

Richly robed and golden hued, the dazzling 2002 JJ Hahn Riverlflat Barossa Valley Semillon exudes the seductive scents of ripe citrus and fresh honey, with just the right amount of a certain sensual je ne sais quoi. Perfumed, fleshy, and all together decadent, this Barossa Valley Semillon is nothing short of hedonism in a glass. If the JJ Hahn Riverflat Semillon were anything but wine, it would be arrested for indecent exposure. And happily, this not so demure coquette delivers everything it promises; it coats the mouth with kisses of luscious fruit, before ending with the satisfying feel of silk and satin on the finish. Ripe, but never sweet, the amply endowed 2002 JJ Hahn Riverflat Semillon has both weight and length, without resorting to residual sugar or a soppy, syrupy finish. Enjoy this wonderful, easy to drink Barossa Semillon moderately to well chilled (40-50º F)

The 2002 JJ Hahn Riverflat Semillon is a winner with everything from Baby Shrimp, served in a ripe avocado, to Chicken and Cheese Flautas, smothered in a mild tomato based salsa or picante sauce. Not surprisingly, the lush balanced flavors of the JJ Hahn Semillon saunter right through even the most difficult food flavors to pair with wine. Consequently, another recommended accompaniment to the Hahn Semillon includes fresh Smoked Red Snapper, served on a bed of grilled sweet potato and roasted cherry tomatoes, with fennel and edible woodland ferns. New Zealand green-lipped mussels, simmered to perfection in an island fruit and roasted root vegetable broth provide yet another flavorful and highly charged companion to the Hahn. Certainly, the 2002 Hahn Riverflat Semillon also marries beautifully to most white fish and full flavored seafood specialties such as lobster tails and Alaskan King Crab Legs, and the Hahn Riverflat Semillon tastes just fine with a plate of soft white cheeses, too. We even recommend it as an aperitif, as it tastes quite splendid all by itself. And best of all, the wine has not even hit its peak of perfection, so you will want to sequester a couple of extra bottles in your cellar to drink over the next few years.

JJ Hahn is a premium Barossa Valley winery with more than six generations of expertise and a long list of outstanding offerings to its credit. The family has lived and worked this very same land since 1846. Today, James Hahn is the present vigneron or grape grower, while Christa Binder, scion of the famous Binder family of Barossa Valley, serves as the chief winemaker. The Binders are best known for Veritas wines, one of Barossa Valley's unofficial first growths. Veritas unequivocally produces some of Australia's finest red and white wines, from full throttle Shiraz, Mataro (Mourvedre), Cabernet, and Merlot to outstanding Semillon, and even a10 year old Tawny port-style wine. Not surprisingly, the Binder magic plays out in Hahn's Riverflat Semillon. Hahn's Riverflat Semillon is produced from a heritage vineyard of only two and half acres. This special parcel of vines was planted in Barossa on the banks of the North Para River in 1960 and 1962. At more than forty years of age the Riverflat vineyard produces only half of its original crop, which results in rich wines of great flavor. Through limited production of this single vineyard Semillon, JJ Hahn aims to preserve part of the heritage of the Barossa Valley and allow the outstanding fruit from this historic vineyard the opportunity to reach its ultimate potential.