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 2017 vintage was a warm and relatively dry season, and the start of a four-year extended drought period in the Hunter Valley. The vintage conditions have produced slightly riper/muscular shiraz and beautifully long-lived Semillon. The pedigree of the Braemore vineyard was evident again this year with the fruit achieving a perfect level of fruit ripeness whilst retaining excellent natural acidity. Hand-picked on the 1st of February, 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 ten weeks resting on its yeast lees prior to fining in preparation for bottling. Exactly 674 six-packs of this wine have been maturing in our climate-controlled cellar (held at 15°C) destined for release with six years bottle age.

"Light quartz green, due for release September 2023. A seriously delicious semillon, makrut lime to the fore, then polished acidity, balance, line, length and purity."
97 Points - James Halliday, James Halliday Wine Companion

"Very attractive toasty, gently resiny/grassy developed fruit characters. Very rich on palate, moreso than the 2019. Lots of volume but still within the stylistic boundaries. Delicious wine, quite reserved and just beginning to show some maturity."
96 Points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review

Trophy - 2023 NSW Small Winemaker Show (Best Mature Semillon)
Gold - 2023 NSW Small Winemakers Show
Gold - 2023 Winewise SVA

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 - 15th June 2017
Release Date - 1st September 2023
Alcohol - 10.9% 
Quantity - 674 six packs + 100 magnums + 12 double magnums