Matt Burton from Gundog Estate has created the Indomitus range as a challenge to the norms of winemaking for Semillon and Shiraz. Matt has returned to 10% Semillon for the Albus, after a couple of vintages experimenting with Riesling in the blend.

The fruit for this was taken from the Vernon’s dry grown vineyard Mount View with a little pressings juice from fruit off Tinkler’s Mount Bright and School Block vineyards. Complexity developed through fermentation of cloudy juice with natural ferment in tank and barrel, with a portion of the wine held on skins for 175 days extended maceration.

Gundog Estate, Indomitus Albus, Semillon, Hunter Valley, 2023

Even with the above winemaking, Matt and the winemaking have produced a lemon crystal clear wine. Obvious young Hunter notes of lemon and lemongrass, but with depth and complexity of fresh haybale, orange cream, green apple, roast macadamia and easy brown spice. Texturally you think you’re in for the usual young HV Sem sharp acid ride, before a creaminess and roundness builds the picture and rounds the edges. Soft grip holds the attention for a moment before a slow release. That interplay of young citrus fruit and savoury nuances create a unique, delicious take on Hunter Valley Semillon.

RRP: $35
Alc: 10.4%
Rating: 94/100

Wine sample courtesy of Gundog Estate