Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon 750mL

At 6 years of age on release, the colour is just starting to show some development with yellow tints complimenting the green edges. Lifted almond bread and the floral notes heading to bees wax and toast. Lively lime juice, Bickford cordial characters and backed by a superb zesty acidity. The magic of Hunter Valley Semillon on display with texture, fruit weight and great length from a wine that sees no oak. The ILR Reserve Semillon is released from the best years and this is a beauty. 

Winemakers Comments: Contrary to most thinking, the Hunter Valley had a perfect lead up to the 2011 vintage. The 2010 calendar year ended at just over 900mm, up on the average of 720mm, with the wettest month being November at 156mm. Then the Valley had a mild and dry December and early January 2011 followed suit with only one day above 40C on the 2nd January. Further hot weather struck around Australia Day resulting in some leaf burn. In a bizarre twist, the Hunter Valley was irrigating madly while most of Australia was under water.

Vinification: Harvesting all by hand. The fruit was crushed, chilled and pressed immediately. Neutral yeasts were used for the fermentation, bottled in July. No oak and no malolactic ferment, only stainless steel.

Food: Asian food, any seafood especially freshly shucked oysters.

Drink: Drinking well now but will improve with further bottle age.