Brokenwood Semillion 2015 ~ Hunter Valley

Outstanding - 94pts
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2016

Silver Medal
Hunter Valley Wine Show 2014

Silver Ribbon - 90pts
Huon Hooke

    Tasting Notes

    The warmer weather has resulted in great fruit intensity. The colours in 2014 are outstanding, lots of luminous green tints. Lifted aromas of citrus/lemongrass notes. Sweet fruit flavours with great lime juice acidity. This is an outstanding young Hunter Valley Semillon and great drinking now or this will age gracefully if a more mature style is desired.

    Winemakers Comments

    Winemaker Iain Riggs made the comment during vintage 2014 that he thought in 32 years there were no more surprises left. Except of course starting picking on the 8th January. Once upon a time before the private irrigation scheme went through the valley, some Shiraz was picked in late January but Semillon was always early February. Not so any more. The winter and the spring of 2013 were very dry, in fact 207mm in the last 5 months of the year. Lower crop and low foliage equals early picking except vintage 2014 was not too dissimilar to 2000 where at 10 to 11 baumé there was still quite a bit of ‘green’ character. Lots of vineyard walks and discussion saw the decision to pick a bit riper meant slightly higher alcohols. But everything is still under 12% just no low 10s.
    Excellent colours with plenty of luminous greens and bright acidity a feature. In terms of tasting notes, not much to separate 2013 and 2014, so we didn’t.

    Vinification

    Harvesting all by hand. The fruit was crushed, chilled and pressed immediately. Neutral yeasts were used for the fermentation, bottled in May. 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.



    Collections: Barr's Brokenwoods

    Type: Single Vineyard


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