Briar Ridge Dairy Hill Hunter Valley Semillon 2023

A contrasting style to the Black Cluster semillon, one that is riper and more forward, in the style of what we might call a “modern” Hunter semillon expression. Tropical fruits and attractive herbals make for an approachable drink-now style that is especially food friendly. Lemon curd, white peach, nectarine, lantana, citrus and snow pea aromas and flavours substitute the usual piercing, pure intensity associated with early release Semillon with an inviting warmth of flavour. Fermentation in old neutral oak casks has brought out an attractive textural appeal. Those herbals caught lurking on the bouquet make their presence better known on the palate in thyme, snow pea and marjoram. They are among the lasting impressions on the finish.

Jeni Port

Wine critic at Winepilot

Jeni Port is one of Australia’s top wine communicators. Based in Melbourne, Jeni created the first wine column in the (then) Sun News-Pictorial before moving over to The Age and becoming that paper’s longest-serving wine writer. Over the years she has written for most Australian wine magazines and these days calls WinePilot home. She is also a Tasting Panel member on the Halliday Wine Companion. She was named Wine Communicator of the Year and Legend of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in 2014 and in 2018 Legend of the Vine. She is a founding board member of Australian Women In Wine and is the co-deputy chair of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards and China’s Wine List of the Year Awards.

Wine writer and critic