Hunter Icons Uncovered

Hunter Icons Uncovered

I’m in catch up mode at the moment, working through the backlog of notes that have built up over the course of the year. These wines were served as part of a night long celebration of Hunter wines served up earlier in the year. The calibre of this lot was very high indeed…

Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon 2006 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
A full and powerful Vat 1 and looks to be still finding its feet. I don’t think this was the best bottle either. Yellow bean, margarine and yellow apple. Perhaps a little warm actually and buttercup round, yet certainly some power. Needs time to resolve the ripeness and acidity 17.7/20 92/100

Meerea Park Terracotta Semillon 2006 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
Classic booze. Quite a green and backward nose, looking almost grassy and neutral in its restraint, over what is a deep and powerful palate. The length here is absolutely superstar, the powerful and still very primary, coupled with just a little toastiness on the edges. Certainly outpoints the Vat 1 here and looks plain sensational. 18.7/20 95/100

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Thomas Wines Braemore Semillon 2007 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
This wine started quite a deal of discussion on the evening. Andrew ‘Thommo’ Thomas much prefers this, his riper year wine, whilst I am more of a fan of the utterly classic 2006. It’s a fuller, rounded, more robust wine this one that is more developed and buttery rich through the middle and a general sense of chunky power. I think the acidity is choppier in comparison to the other wines and the whole package looks firmer and less inviting. No doubt it will look good with a few more years on it and it is still a smart Semillon, if not a patch on the 06. 17.5/20 91/100+

De Iuliis Steven Shiraz 2011 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
Little wonder this has picked up so much bling. It’s so pure and bright and juicy and gentle. A true Hunter Burgundy indeed. Shows lots of glossy redcurrant and raspberry fruit with that flash of boysenberry that the best old vine Hunter Shiraz shows. Very sweet fruited palate is full of red fruit vibrancy, the fruit the most juicy and super fresh ever, the tannins fine. Purity of fruit and depth to burn. It’s perhaps a little simple for now but no doubt will live forever and continue to look very pretty indeed. 18/20 93/100+

Brokenwood Graveyard Shiraz 2009 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
A very classic Graveyard that you should not drink now. A dark, firm and mysterious red and a backward wine of dark fruit and smoky overtones. More reduction and smoky bacon and marrow through the palate too, a Hunter Shiraz of density and complexity already. So big and ballsy, a feuding ball of power and fruit. Much to dig, if all ahead. Big yes. 18.1/20 93/100+