Mount Pleasant 'Elizabeth', Hunter Valley, Semillon 2016

Inspired by the first visit of a reigning monarch to Australia in 1954, the 'Cellar Aged Elizabeth' is the result of the synergy achieved by combining the noble grape variety Semillon and the Hunter Valley terroir. The Semillon grapes are grown in the estate vineyards in the Pokolbin subregion of the Hunter Valley. The vineyard is cultivated using sustainable techniques, such as employing mulch to nourish the vines and growing
cover crops to increase the biodiversity in the soil. This sustainable approach has resulted in some of the healthiest vines on the estate in recent years; the vines have developed plentiful canopies which have assisted in preventing sunburn of the fruit. The grapes are hand-harvested.

The grapes were hand-harvested in the cool of the early morning to preserve the freshness in the fruit. The grapes were destemmed to the press, where only 500 litres per tonne of the finest free run juice was taken. The juice was settled, racked and cold fermented with selected yeasts which lasted for 14 days. The wine was chilled and fined, prior to bottling. The bottles were then cellar aged for five years prior to release, promoting complexity and texture.

Mount Pleasant, based in the Hunter Valley, was established in 1921 by the legendary winemaker Maurice O’Shea, from 16.3 hectares of adjoining parcels of land, which he named Mount Pleasant. As Chief Winemaker, Maurice went on to make some of Australia’s greatest wines and his reputation stands as the grandfather of Australian
wine and a pioneer of the industry. Sadly, Maurice O’Shea passed away in 1956, but his legacy has been continued by top class winemakers. In 2017, Mount Pleasant was
named Winery of the Year by James Halliday and in 2018 award-winning winemaker Adrian Sparks took over as the fifth Chief Winemaker and continues to produce world class wines from this renowned estate

2016 was a warm, dry vintage: below average rainfall during the winter was coupled with above average temperatures. Early budburst took place followed by dry
conditions during flowering which resulted in very good fruit-set. Yields were higher than recent years, with early harvesting and good to excellent quality fruit. Overall a very good vintage and outstanding for whites.