2023 Briar Ridge Stockhausen Semillon, Hunter Valley

It is always an education to drink Semillon with a few years bottle age, don’t miss this adolescent time because it can be truly rewarding. A hint of what’s to come and some comprehension of its trajectory. Here in the bottle, you’ll find a soft cheek of lemon, lotus flower and cream honey. Some green apple and pear tones, proving yes there is still a long way to go in this life cycle. Young almonds are still forming, milky with a snap of texture and a hint of beach sand. This is beautifully framed with stainless steel maturation to preserve every detail of crunchy fruit. This will continue to give over more of itself with every year in bottle. For now it is a treat, pair it with seared scallop and cauliflower cream.

96 points Shanteh Wale for Wine Pilot, March 2026

A classical semillon with youthful restraint poised for cellaring. Hand-picked, sorted fruit was whole-bunch pressed with the free run fermented in stainless using neutral yeast and bottled shortly after. Pure lemon-juice aromas. The palate has excellent clarity and citrus flavours, pleasing weight and softness. Although it is lovely now, it will benefit from time in bottle. Drink to 2033.

95 points Special Value Toni Paterson MW for Halliday Wine Companion, August 2024

Briar Ridge is a 1972 established family-owned wine producer in the Mount View area of Hunter Valley. With focus on local wines from its excellent estate vineyards, fruit is also sourced from Orange in NSW and Wrattonbully in South Australia.

Winemaker Andrew Duff's Stockhausen range of wines showcase classic Hunter Valley styles crafted as a tribute to the late Karl Stockhausen, the legendary winemaker of the famous Lindemans Hunter River ‘Burgundy’ and ‘Chablis’ wines from 1961 to 1979.