Brokenwood

ILR Reserve Hunter Valley Sémillon

9.173 ratings
9.246 pro ratings
Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia
Sémillon
Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Beef, Venison, White Rice, Potato, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Pasta, Herbs, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Pungent Cheese, Chicken, Salami & Prosciutto, Soft Cheese, Duck, Tomato-Based, Pork, Chili & Hot Spicy, Lamb, Turkey, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Bob McDonald

See previous tasting notes from a year ago and 2 others earlier than that. All 3 notes quite comprehensive and nothing really further to add. I would emphasise generally how great aged Hunter Valley Semillon is. As Jancis said, Australia’s gift to the World of Wine. Lime and Lemon, Beeswax, Wet Straw, Lanolin. Still has an inner core of strength which will see it through for more years. More honey and toasty development to come. Most tasters would not pick this as 14 years old. Loved it. Went well with fresh Pacific Oysters. 10.5%ABV.

See previous tasting notes from a year ago and 2 others earlier than that. All 3 notes quite comprehensive and nothing really further to add. I would emphasise generally how great aged Hunter Valley Semillon is. As Jancis said, Australia’s gift to the World of Wine. Lime and Lemon, Beeswax, Wet Straw, Lanolin. Still has an inner core of strength which will see it through for more years. More honey and toasty development to come. Most tasters would not pick this as 14 years old. Loved it. Went well with fresh Pacific Oysters. 10.5%ABV.

Nov 13th, 2023
Bob McDonald

Pale pale yellow - incredibly pale for a 13 year old wine. All the descriptors for aged Hunter Valley Semillon - Lemon, beeswax, wet straw, lanolin. Still with sprightly acid - zesty. Will go on for a few more years. One of the premium Semillons in the Hunter along with Lovedale and Vat 1. ILR standing for the owner and winemaker, Iain Leslie Riggs. See previous note in September 2018. Also December 2017.

Pale pale yellow - incredibly pale for a 13 year old wine. All the descriptors for aged Hunter Valley Semillon - Lemon, beeswax, wet straw, lanolin. Still with sprightly acid - zesty. Will go on for a few more years. One of the premium Semillons in the Hunter along with Lovedale and Vat 1. ILR standing for the owner and winemaker, Iain Leslie Riggs. See previous note in September 2018. Also December 2017.

Oct 17th, 2022
Scott C

Founder / Co-director SR Wine imports

9.6

The best Semillon I have ever tasted!!! Stunning , saved it for years but it was time . So long it just kept going ....... beautiful

The best Semillon I have ever tasted!!! Stunning , saved it for years but it was time . So long it just kept going ....... beautiful

Dec 23rd, 2019
Ceccherini Cristiano

Still young and crisp
Maybe not extremely long, but super delicious
Perfect summer drink (wondering when summer comes, still less than 20 here everyday 😢)

Still young and crisp
Maybe not extremely long, but super delicious
Perfect summer drink (wondering when summer comes, still less than 20 here everyday 😢)

Dec 13th, 2019
Ceccherini Cristiano

Completely different scenario from Prager
Still on the freshness
Youngish, long, marvelous, but we are still wondering in how long we'll find this wine at peak
A real treat

Completely different scenario from Prager
Still on the freshness
Youngish, long, marvelous, but we are still wondering in how long we'll find this wine at peak
A real treat

Dec 5th, 2019
Ceccherini Cristiano

Just past its peak
Still enjoyable though

Just past its peak
Still enjoyable though

Jun 2nd, 2019
Ceccherini Cristiano

Super easy drinking
Still extremely young
Hints of lanolin only
Not toasty yet
I have one more bottle and I should wait 3 to 5 years at least, unless the other bottle took another direction.... WTH...

Super easy drinking
Still extremely young
Hints of lanolin only
Not toasty yet
I have one more bottle and I should wait 3 to 5 years at least, unless the other bottle took another direction.... WTH...

May 19th, 2019
Bob McDonald

Pale Lemon with green tinges. Intense Lime aromas with herbal notes. Very youthful at 9 years of age with a long life in front of it. That Lime intensity carries through to the palate with zesty flavours. Waxy notes developing. Not for neophytes but Semillon lovers will be in 7th heaven! Highly awarded in the Australian Show System with 8 Trophies and 10 Gold Medals at last count.

Pale Lemon with green tinges. Intense Lime aromas with herbal notes. Very youthful at 9 years of age with a long life in front of it. That Lime intensity carries through to the palate with zesty flavours. Waxy notes developing. Not for neophytes but Semillon lovers will be in 7th heaven! Highly awarded in the Australian Show System with 8 Trophies and 10 Gold Medals at last count.

Sep 11th, 2018
Ceccherini Cristiano

Still plenty of life ahead
Plenty of lanolin, but not giving the toasty character yet
Fabulous ✌️

Still plenty of life ahead
Plenty of lanolin, but not giving the toasty character yet
Fabulous ✌️

Jul 9th, 2018
Bob McDonald

Pale Lemon with a youthful greenish tinge. Aromas of wet straw and starting to develop secondary notes of lanolin and a little toast but a long way to go to reach full maturity. On the palate Citric Acid floods the sides and back of the tongue- mouth puckering. Tastes about 2 years old, not nearly 9 years and at least another 10 years cellaring ahead. Receives no oak influence and only 10.5% Alc. Highly awarded on the Australian Show Circuit with 4 Trophies. from the Royal Queensland Wine Show. From a 10 acre block at the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges in the Hunter Valley. First vintage in 1973 was a labour of love for the partners friends and families with the first grapes carried to the Winery in buckets in the back seat of Len Evans’ Bentley. .....a funny story 😉

Pale Lemon with a youthful greenish tinge. Aromas of wet straw and starting to develop secondary notes of lanolin and a little toast but a long way to go to reach full maturity. On the palate Citric Acid floods the sides and back of the tongue- mouth puckering. Tastes about 2 years old, not nearly 9 years and at least another 10 years cellaring ahead. Receives no oak influence and only 10.5% Alc. Highly awarded on the Australian Show Circuit with 4 Trophies. from the Royal Queensland Wine Show. From a 10 acre block at the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges in the Hunter Valley. First vintage in 1973 was a labour of love for the partners friends and families with the first grapes carried to the Winery in buckets in the back seat of Len Evans’ Bentley. .....a funny story 😉

Dec 28th, 2017