Wines Hunter Valley Brokenwood - Oakey Creek Vineyard - 2024

Viniou Reviews

The Brokenwood Oakey Creek Vineyard Cuvée 2024 from the Hunter Valley is a striking representation of Australian white wine craftsmanship. Made predominantly from Semillon, the hallmark grape of this region, this dry white is the result of meticulous vineyard selection from the renowned Oakey Creek site. The 2024 vintage experienced a relatively mild and balanced growing season, allowing for slow, even ripening and an excellent concentration of floral and citrus aromas. Vinification is carried out with a gentle hand to preserve varietal purity; fermentation is kept cool in inert vessels, resulting in a wine with vibrant acidity, minimal oak influence, and a clean, linear profile.

Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious wine regions, especially celebrated for its unique style of Semillon. The area enjoys a warm, humid subtropical climate, which might seem unsuited for crisp whites, yet the combination of early harvesting, sandy alluvial soils, and expert winemaking produces Semillons of remarkable finesse and longevity. These soils drain well, ensuring healthy vines and pure, focused fruit. With a viticultural heritage dating back to the early 19th century, Hunter Valley producers like Brokenwood have mastered the art of letting site and grape shine through, favouring unembellished winemaking.

The citrus-laden, delicate style of this wine pairs beautifully with fresh and simply prepared seafood. Try it with Sydney rock oysters, grilled whiting, or a seared scallop salad. Poultry with lemon and herbs, or regional dishes like a classic Australian prawn salad, will further enhance its zesty profile. For a local touch, pair with barramundi fillets seasoned with native pepper.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine chilled but not excessively cold, ideally between 8-10°C. This temperature preserves the vibrancy of the fruit while allowing subtle mineral and herbal notes to unfold in the glass. Decanting is not necessary, but use good quality glassware with a tapered rim to focus the aromatics. This wine can be enjoyed now for its dynamism and freshness, or cellared for several years to develop intriguing toasty nuances.