2018 Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon

WINERY OF THE YEAR! - 2026 Halliday Wine Companion

The ILR Reserve is Brokenwood’s flagship white, only made in standout years and always released with some age under its belt. The fruit comes from Oakey Creek Vineyard, planted back in the early 80s and now regarded as one of the Hunter’s best Semillon sites. For decades Brokenwood bought fruit from this block, before finally taking ownership in 2021 – a fitting step given how closely the vineyard and this wine are tied together.

2018 was a dream year in the Hunter, with an early, stress-free harvest delivering fruit of wonderful balance and ripeness. As with all Brokenwood Semillons, the winemaking was kept simple – hand-picked, stainless steel fermentation, no oak – leaving the vineyard to do the talking. After six years’ bottle age, the wine is just starting to show those classic toasty, honeyed notes while still carrying the bright citrus and fine acidity that will see it age for many more.

The ILR has always been about showing how truly great Hunter Semillon can be, and the 2018 is no exception – a beautifully poised, long-lived white that’s both approachable now and full of potential.

97 points
"This wine is an unmistakable ILR and is one of the season's highlights."
- Toni Paterson (Halliday Wine Companion)