2025 De Iuliis Semillon, Hunter Valley

Pale in the glass, bright and lively. Lifted aromas of waxy lemon, lemon grass, mineral and a sappy, green, woodsy lift. Tangy, pithy and snappy in flavour, with lashings of lemony crunch and crackle.

91 points Aaron Brasher therealreview.com

Few regions in the world produce Semillon with the longevity and purity of the Hunter Valley, and the expression from De Iuliis captures that regional style beautifully. The De Iuliis family established their winery in Pokolbin after decades growing grapes in the region, with Mike De Iuliis gaining a reputation for precise, vineyard driven wines. Hunter Valley Semillon is typically picked early to preserve freshness and structure, creating a wine that is lean and vibrant in youth yet capable of remarkable transformation with bottle age.

Pale straw with a bright green hue, the aromas are fresh and lifted. Lemon zest, lime and green apple lead the way, followed by subtle notes of lemongrass and delicate florals. The bouquet is clean and focused, reflecting the purity of the fruit and the cool early harvest.

The wine shows remarkable clarity and energy, driven by crisp citrus fruit and vibrant natural acidity. Flavours of lemon, grapefruit and green apple run through the wine, giving a tight, refreshing profile that finishes long and clean with a mineral edge. While youthful and bright now, this style of Hunter Valley Semillon is famous for evolving into honeyed, toasty complexity over time.

Fresh oysters, grilled prawns, sashimi or goat cheese dishes make ideal partners. With its naturally high acidity and classic regional structure, this Semillon will cellar confidently for fifteen to twenty years, gradually developing notes of toast, honey and lanolin.