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Located in the heart of Hunter Semillon's dress circle, on the free-draining sandy flats of Pokolbin, Braemore is consecrated ground for fans of the variety and region. Thomas has worked with Braemore fruit since his very first vintage, and when the chance to buy the vineyard arose in 2017, he jumped at it. Today it contributes to several blends, but the two single-vineyard wines, the Braemore Semillon and Cellar Reserve Semillon (released at six years old), shine the brightest.
Thomas is one of about 12 producers, including Tyrrell's, on this narrow, two-kilometre strip of 'Grand Cru' Semillon soil. Once an ancient sea floor, the deep, sandy loam is free-draining, letting roots dig deep. "The thing that sets Braemore apart, what gives it its longevity, is that extra level of intensity and concentration that comes from Semillon grown on this kind of soil," Andrew explains.
2026 was similar to the previous vintage: a dry growing season through to véraison, with brief rain early in the new year delivering beautifully ripe fruit, balanced natural acidity and another generous crop. Picking began on 22 January, and the whole vineyard was hand-picked by 30 January. The fruit was sorted, whole-bunch pressed to minimise phenolics and fermented with a neutral yeast for varietal purity, then rested on lees for four weeks.
The result is another classically shaped Braemore, pure and precise, with concentration and tightly wound energy, and an underlying approachability and generosity. It will drink well now and is an absolute belter for the cellar.
This is the 27th consecutive vintage of Braemore Semillon under the Thomas Wines label. 11.3% ABV.