Established in 1970, Brokenwood Wines has evolved from a weekend venture for self-professed hobby winemakers into one of Australia’s most reputable wine labels. Founded by a trio of Sydney-based solicitors: Tony Albert, John Beeston and James Halliday. The first vintage was picked in 1973. While none of the original partners claimed to know anything about viticulture, the wine received praise, and attracted a loyal following from its first vintage.
Hunter Valley Accommodation. Check Availability at The Vintry
It was 25th vintage of Brokenwood Semillon in 2007 and a beauty to bring up the quarter century. The rainfall record for the Lower Hunter Valley shows an average rainfall of 800mm calculated between 1919 and 2006. However since 1992 there has not been one year at that average – 14 years all up. A similar period occurred between 1932 and 1948. The year 2006 was one of the driest on record with a miserly 416mm. A dry 2006 vintage continued until rain (133mm) in September. Brokenwood as usual commenced irrigation well before budburst. A further 30mm in early November kept the vines going as water restrictions became a reality.
At Brokenwood Wines, the line up of great wines for tasting makes this place a must, and the service here from experienced tasting staff is second to none. Huon Hooke, Sydney Morning Herald.
Cooler weather over Christmas gave short-lived respite. High temperatures and low ground water meant an early start to picking with Brokenwood kicking off on the 17th of January, a week later than others in the Valley. Brokenwood harvested from 18 different vineyards for our largest ever Semillon intake. The quality of 2007 Semillon across the Hunter is excellent and now (in 2013) with bottle age, the wines are impressing even more.
Harvesting all by hand. The fruit was crushed, chilled and pressed immediately. Neutral yeasts were used for the fermentation, bottled in July, using 100% screw cap. Only stainless steel, no oak and no malolactic fermentation. The use of screw cap seal will ensure fresness and avoid any chance of cork taint or oxidation.
The colour belies its 6 years of bottle age at release in 2013, with wonderful pale green tints. The aromas are a combination of green apple and citrus. These follow to the palate with a hint of bees wax that is expected to build over the next few years. Slightly higher alcohol does give extra length to the finish. An impressive Semillon. A great match with some fresh style, lighter Asian food, any seafood especialy freshy shucked oysters. The Brokenwood Maxwell Vineyard Semillon 2007 is drinking well now but will improve with further bottle age.
Brokenwood Wines
Address 401-427 McDonalds Road Pokolbin NSW 2320
Telephone 02 4998 7559
Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5pm Sunday 10am to 5pm
Visit Brokenwood Online
