Description
Born and bred in McLaren Vale, Andrew ‘Thommo’ Thomas reckoned he had it all figured out.
He would graduate from Roseworthy and pursue a career in South Australia, following in the footsteps of his father, Wayne Thomas.
And then fate stepped in.
Between semesters, Thomas took on a vintage at Tyrrells.
Here he met and worked under larger-than-life Murray Tyrrell and his experience in the Hunter would imprint on Thomas for life.
Put simply, bottle-aged Hunter Semillon lives in a house of its own, and Andrew Thomas crafts one of this rare style’s beacons.
Released after six years of bottle age in a climate-controlled cellar (held at 15°C), the Cellar Reserve Braemore is Thomas’ emblematic wine.
Thomas believes his Braemore Semillon really starts to reach its peak expression at 10 years old, but releases this wine at six, when the wine’s youthful citrus and green tones are starting blossom to those iconic flavours of toasted brioche, honeycomb and grilled nuts.
An exquisite wine that suggests the style here was finer boned and less overt of fruit, in the past.
Barley water, lemon oil and a strong waft of peat, not dissimilar to great champagne or Laphroaig.
Lightweight and skeletal, yet of immense thrust, intensity of extract, drive and length.
A bit tangy, to be churlish.
Nevertheless, an indomitable wine worthy of much attention – Ned Goodwin MW, Halliday Wine Companion, 96 Points The Finer Details Style – White Wine Varietal – Semillon Country – Australia Region – Hunter Valley, New South Wales Vintage – 2016 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 10.8% Closure – Screw Cap
