Brokenwood

ILR Reserve Hunter Valley Sémillon

9.317 ratings
9.312 pro ratings
Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia
Sémillon
Blue Cheese, Fruit Desserts
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
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
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
Matt Duncan

Elegant and lean.

Elegant and lean.

Aug 15th, 2016
Trevor Maskell

This is breathtaking. Beeswax, lanolin and hints of herbs. Fresh yet beautifully complex. Depth of flavour and lingering finish. Nothing bad to say about this wine at all. A long future ahead.

This is breathtaking. Beeswax, lanolin and hints of herbs. Fresh yet beautifully complex. Depth of flavour and lingering finish. Nothing bad to say about this wine at all. A long future ahead.

Jan 26th, 2016
Scott C

Founder / Co-director SR Wine imports

9.2

Beautiful ! Lemon acidity, bees wax , honey . My favorite Semillon so far

Beautiful ! Lemon acidity, bees wax , honey . My favorite Semillon so far

Oct 2nd, 2015
Freddy Ramirez Troya

Quite distinctive, smooth and stony fruit like taste. Pairs easily with vegan dishes.

Quite distinctive, smooth and stony fruit like taste. Pairs easily with vegan dishes.

May 5th, 2018
Stanislav Lobanov

17/20

Aug 15th, 2017
Craig Williams

Mineral meets lanolin!

Mineral meets lanolin!

Feb 3rd, 2017