The 2009 Hunter Valley Semillon provides a bit more weight and alcohol (11%) than the 2008, with intense aromas of fresh pears, white peach, lemongrass and jasmine. There is really nice tension, a tad youthful but approachable now with lots of citrus and stone fruit flavors, a yeasty/honeyed character lending balance to the acid, and a silken texture as well as a long finish. Drink 2010-2018. Founded in 1970, Brokenwood, by virtue of its illustrious founders (3 lawyers from Sydney) and a proven track-record for producing superlative wines, is today amongst the Hunter Valley’s icons. Production is now at around 100,000 cases with about 50% of this being accounted for by the Cricket Pitch Red and White. Hunter Valley fruit constitutes around 25% of production and it’s their wines from this region that really make Brokenwood outstanding. Brokenwood’s famous Graveyard Vineyard was planted in 1968 using Shiraz cuttings from the vineyards of a couple of the Hunter’s oldest examples: Tyrrell’s and McWilliams. The soils at Graveyard are relatively infertile, slowing the ripening process and giving small vines. Importer: Old Bridge Cellars, Napa, CA; www.oldbridgecellars.com