2009 Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon, Hunter Valley

Little or no colour change; the bouquet is distinctly aromatic, but still focused on primary fruit, not toast or honey; the palate is electrifying, drawing saliva from the mouth with its mix of unsweetened lemon juice/lemon zest and life-giving acidity, the DNA of great semillon, protected by the screwcap for decades. Drink by: 2029

This wine has a beautiful colour, and perfect grapes/ripening means nothing interferes with the gentle aging. As the wine warms up, the citrus and some florals come in. Bees wax and then ‘toast’ will come in a few years. Lively palate, plenty of citrus pith and seamless acidity. A perfect follow up to the near perfect 2007 ILR and a wine that has a long future in front of it. Enjoy.

One of Brokenwood’s single vineyard semillons. The vineyard site used to be a landing strip for a crop dusting plane. "The colour is still pale, although bright; the lemongrass and citrus bouquet leads into a totally delicious, albeit still developing, palate; here Meyer lemon, lemon curd and immaculately balanced acidity and pH drive the wine through to its long finish." James Halliday