2014 Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon, Hunter Valley

Pale straw-green - an extraordinary colour of an extraordinary wine. A fragrant bouquet floats out of the glass and introduces a palate that has the best of all worlds: lemon, lemon curd, beeswax and fruit spice with no hint of the searing acidity Hunter Valley semillon can throw at the unwary. Here it is perfectly (and naturally) balanced. A worthy companion to the sublime Graveyard Shiraz '18. Drink to 2034.

99 points (Special Value) James Halliday for Halliday Wine Companion, July 2021

Light to medium-yellow, bright and luminous, with a wonderfully complex yet fresh bouquet of toasty-developed semillon fruit, hints of dried herbs, lemon and resiny traces. The flavour is voluminous: it fills the mouth and is intense and superbly harmonious, with refreshing dryness and cleansing but seamlessly balanced acidity. A very long follow-through and a clean finish. A magnificent example of semi-mature Hunter semillon. Drink to 2030.

98 points Huon Hooke for The Real Review, October 2020

It is always a joy to spend some time with winelovers from offshore and then offer them an aged Hunter Semillon. Semillon? Most of them look at you like you’ve offered them curdled milk. Once they taste it, however, a different story. They suddenly understand what all the fuss is about. And if I had to pick a current Semillon to show off just how glorious these wines can be, I can’t think of a better example than this one. I understand it is from the Trevena Vineyard. It is finally showing the merest hint of development. There are notes of stonefruit, citrus, crème brulee, honeycomb. It is pristine, rich and concentrated. The finish just continues to build and build. Richness sneaks in almost unobtrusively and then expands. Backed by bracing acidity, though it never intrudes. Toasty notes. Such a supple and appealing texture. This really does have years to go. An absolute stunner. For me, 97, but I have no doubt that in five or ten years, or even twenty, you’ll be able to add a couple of points. This is compelling evidence as to why Hunter Semillon really must be considered as one of the greatest white wines on the planet. Then compare the price to great White Burgundy and you’ll see what a ridiculous bargain they are. Drink to 2040.

97 points Ken Gargett for Wine Pilot, June 2021

The 2014 ILR Reserve Semillon is a restrained, composed, balanced wine. It comes across as so even. The acid is fine and glassy but seamlessly woven through the fruit. The phenolics are ethereal and lacy and hold the fruit flavors in line through the finish. The wine is fresh yet toasty, textural yet sleek, and long. For all that, it is quiet, and it is sedate. At this stage, for it to be this closed is a healthy sign of the future. Drink to 2041.

96 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, August 2024

A great rendition of this unique Hunter Valley style. Has a very fresh, attractive nose with a gently waxy edge, as well as grassy notes and pristine lemon peel. The combination of primary fruit freshness and steady development in bottle is good here. The palate has a very sleek, concentrated delivery of quite pure lemon. The concentrated fruit is folded snugly around a long line of acidity. Drink now or cellar for a decade plus.

96 points James Suckling, October 2020

95 points (Gold) Hunter Valley Wine Show 2025