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2016 Cellar Reserve Braemore

Winemaker's Comments

Hunter Valley Semillon is one of the world's most uniquely regional wine styles. The Braemore vineyard (planted 1969) is situated on the sandy alluvial flats of Hermitage Road, Pokolbin, and consistently produces Semillon featuring freshness, vibrancy and remarkable longevity. This wine has achieved an enviable reputation in recent years as being one of the finest examples of classic Hunter Valley Semillon.

The 2016 vintage was a relatively cool vintage with some early summer rainfall making it a challenging season for shiraz but perfect for long-lived Semillon. The pedigree of this vineyard was once again evident this year with the fruit achieving a perfect level of ripeness whilst retaining excellent natural acidity. Hand-picked on the 27th of January, the grapes were whole-bunch pressed to minimise phenolics and fermented in stainless steel using a neutral yeast to enhance varietal purity. The wine spent six weeks resting on its yeast lees prior to fining in preparation for bottling. Exactly 486 six-packs of this wine have been set aside in our climate-controlled cellar (held at 15°C) destined for release with six years bottle age.

96 Points - Ned Goodwin MW, James Halliday Wine Companion
96 Points - Aaron Brasher, The Real Review

Tasting Notes

This wine is just starting to emerge with those classic bottle-aged Hunter Semillon complexities.

Brilliant medium lemon colour with a vibrant green hue. An elaborate nose of fresh citrus and stone fruits and hints of dandelion tea, flint, toasted sourdough and grilled nuts.
The palate is just entering the realm of bottle age complexity. The flavour delivers waves of barbequed lemon and lime, ripe pear and starfruit alongside lemongrass, roasted cashew nuts and buttered toast, just to name a few. Its seductive and saline texture is balanced by a soft yet lively acidity.

A unique and seamless wine and whilst it is in a superb drinking zone right now, it will continue to evolve over the next decade or more.

Bottled - 10th May 2016
Release Date - 1st September 2022
Alcohol 10.8%

A 10% discount will apply at check out on any orders of 12 bottles or more (mixed cases OK). Member discounts will automatically apply

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"Only Andrew Thomas could have the audacity to produce such a wine. It is exquisite."

— James Halliday
"Andrew Thomas continues to be a shining light in the Hunter Valley"

— SMH Good Wine Guide
"...the real clincher is the flavours of slate and chalk, giving the wine a sophistication the like of which few whites are capable. It's a superb wine and a celebration of the land in which it was grown."

— Campbell Mathinson, Gourmet Traveller Magazine
"Winemaker Andrew Thomas is an emerging superstar of the Hunter, producing peerless Semillon and classy Shiraz."

— Peter Forrestal, Qantas Magazine
"Andrew Thomas is actually re-inventing Hunter Valley Semillon. He's developing more complexity, minerality and texture in his young wines without sacrificing any of the styled notes longevity..."

— Jeremy Oliver, On Australian Wine
"...not only are his Semillons impeccable, but his red wines are consistently amongst the finest of the Hunter Valley"

— Lester Jesberg, Winewise Magazine
"...these days clever winemakers such as Andrew Thomas, are producing, semillon that is so refined, soft, beautifully balanced and delicately fruity it is utterly delicious drinking within a few months of harvest."

— Huon Hooke, Good Weekend Magazine

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2016 Cellar Reserve Braemore

Winemaker's Comments

Tasting Notes

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