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1998 Reserve Semillon Ice Wine
“The Columbia Crest Semillon Ice Wine is a brilliant, complex wine with unusual origins.
“Like many great European ice wines, this wine was crafted from grapes left hanging on the vine into the new calendar year. During the 1997 harvest, we designated a Semillon block from the Columbia Crest Estate suitable for dessert wine. The block was repeatedly evaluated during the ensuing weeks, and after each evaluation we opted for longer hang time. Cooler temperatures blew through the vineyard late in the year, and as the thermometer registered 9°F on January 13, 1998, harvest commenced.
“Rock solid grapes were hand-picked and pressed just until the grape juice was liberated from the fruit. Because the sweet juice melts before the water component, we quickly discarded the remaining still-frozen material to avoid diluting the rich, succulent nectar. The juice fermented for 48 days, partially in new French oak barrels. A portion of the wine was aged in French oak barrels for 8 months before the master blend was crafted.
“The wine is a brilliant green hue with strong honeysuckle aromas. The nose gives way to instense honey, fig and sweet oak on the palate. This is a clean, intense wine that lingers lovingly on the palate. The wine’s sweetness is balanced by its natural acidity and a subtle oak suppleness in the mouth. This wine is a dessert itself, or it will complement any creambased confection. This is a wine that will cellar for enjoyment in the future.”
Technical Data
- Total acidity: 0.80 g/100ml
- pH: 3.30
- Alcohol: 11.5%
- Residual Sugar: 22.30 g/100ml
- Blend: 100% Semillon