World Wine – 'This is a seriously good semillon, just starting to open up and drink well, and will continue to do so for many years. The palate is juicy and ripe, fresh and clean and bright, with delicious lemon/herb fruit and a compelling juiciness. Already eminently drinkable.'
95 points - Gourmet Traveller Wine
Huon Hooke – 'Light straw-yellow colour. The aromas are superbly fresh and intense, youthful and bright, with herb and lemon aromas of real charm. The palate is juicy and ripe, fresh and clean and bright, with delicious lemon and herb and a compelling juiciness. It's fresh, youthful, reserved and not at all austere or tight. The acidity is perfectly balanced, the wine is eminently drinkable now and will certainly age well. A seriously good young semillon.'
95 points - Huon Hooke, Therealreview.com
World Wine – Formed from ugni blanc, clairette, viognier, muscat-a-petit grains, riesling. Mostly ugni blanc though. Old vines, low yields here. The wine was matured on lees for its life before bottling.
This is delicious. It’s slippery in texture, fragrant and bursting with character. Honey, lemon blossom, pear, green apple in the bouquet, suggestively sweet, but not so to taste. Glides in the palate, shows depth of pear-like flavours, licks of oatmeal and sweet spice. Precise, but with a come hither drinking appeal. Lovely stuff.
James Halliday – Top 100 Wines of the Year - "The Braemore Vineyard was planted in 1969 on sandy alluvial flats, the Cellar Reserve Semillon not released until six years old. A seriously delicious semillon, lime leaf to the fore, then polished acidity, balance, line, length and purity." - James Halliday (The Weekend Australian)
The Wine Front – “Herbal lemon tea, a hint of wax, underripe melon skin, fresh chamomile, satin cool and lacy texture. There’s something minty underneath and it carries that little tightly packed flavour package that no doubt will develop into something even more beautiful in future but what a refreshing and layered drink it is in its youth.”
- Kasia Sobiesiak, The Wine Front
James Halliday – “100% western Barossa semillon from the subregion of Greenock, fermented and kept in tank on lees for 4 weeks before bottling. Pale straw in the glass with aromas of crisp green apple, lemon and grapefruit with notes of fennel, marzipan, white flowers and stone. Some creamy notes on the palate finishing crisp and dry with impressive clarity and drive.” - Dave Brookes, WineCompanion.com.au
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – “Dominated by Sémillon that's picked late, just before botrytis really takes off in the vineyards, Guffens's 2020 Le C du Sec du Château Closiot is very promising, exhibiting inviting aromas of stone fruit, orange oil, beeswax, ripe melon, vanilla pod and nutmeg. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with racy acids, chalky structuring extract and a long, penetrating finish, it's one of the most interesting dry wines being produced in Bordeaux today.” - William Kelley, Wine Advocate
James Halliday – PJ Charteris spent the better part of a decade at Brokenwood, and tasted countless semillons, reflected in the fragrant bouquet and the juicy palate with lime and Meyer lemon nuances, the length impeccable. James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2023
Semillon is a golden-skinned grape that originated in the Bordeaux region of France. This grape variety, while less known than some of its counterparts, is an essential component in the production of the famed Sauternes and other Bordeaux white blends. Its character is often marked by distinct flavors of honey, figs, and citrus, particularly when aged. Over time, mature Semillon wines can develop intriguing notes of lanolin and toast, presenting a deep and layered drinking experience. Notably, the grape also has a significant presence in Australia's Hunter Valley, where it transforms into wines with grassy and green apple notes in their youth, maturing to richer, toasty flavors with age. Its adaptability to various winemaking techniques and climates means that Semillon has a range of expressions, each revealing a unique facet of this intriguing varietal.
Semillon is a classic white grape variety originating from the Bordeaux region of France. Renowned for its golden hue, Semillon is fundamental in crafting some of the world's most celebrated sweet wines, including the illustrious Sauternes. Beyond its sweet wine credentials, Semillon can be vinified into an array of styles, from dry and crisp to rich and oaked. A signature trait of this varietal is its affinity to age, allowing the wine to evolve, revealing complex layers of flavor profiles, including honey, beeswax, and citrus, coupled with a full-bodied and waxy texture.
While Bordeaux is the birthplace of Semillon, producing both exceptional sweet and dry white wines, Australia's Hunter Valley has carved out its niche, becoming synonymous with world-class Semillon. In the Hunter Valley, Semillon is made into dry white wines, celebrated for their longevity, with flavors that evolve from citrusy and grassy to rich, toasty, and honeyed nuances as they age. Other regions like South Africa's Western Cape and parts of Washington State in the US also contribute to the grape's international footprint, each offering its distinctive take on Semillon.
The limelight of Semillon wines undeniably shines on the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac in Bordeaux, with Château d'Yquem standing as a pinnacle of excellence. In Australia, Hunter Valley's aged Semillons, which transform over time, gaining complexity and depth, have garnered global acclaim. Labels like Tyrrell's Vat 1 and Brokenwood ILR Reserve are benchmarks for the region's Semillon.
While there are top-tier Semillons that fetch premium prices, the grape is also known for its outstanding value propositions. In Bordeaux, look beyond the famous Sauternes estates to find high-quality but more affordable options. Regions like Graves produce commendable dry Semillon blends that won't break the bank. In Australia, outside of the acclaimed Hunter Valley producers, regions like Barossa and Margaret River offer excellent value Semillon wines, showcasing the grape's versatility and appeal.
Semillon's wide spectrum of styles dictates its pairing capabilities. Dry Semillons, with their crisp acidity and citrus notes, complement dishes like grilled seafood, chicken salads, and soft cheeses. The richer, oak-aged versions are ideal with roasted poultry, creamy pasta dishes, and even pork. Sweet Sauternes-style Semillon wines, with their honeyed richness, are divine with blue cheese, foie gras, and desserts like crème brûlée or fruit tarts. The wine's adaptability ensures it finds harmony with a diverse range of cuisines, enhancing the dining experience.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.