It has been another outstanding year in the vineyard, and the critics agree. 2025 marks the third in a recent run of exceptional Hunter Valley vintages — an early season that delivered disease-free fruit at ideal ripeness. The resulting wines boast crisp acidity, bright flavours and elegantly framed palates, hallmarks of this excellent vintage.

Across the range, from the precision of ‘The Chase’ Semillon to the boundary-pushing Wild Semillon and the quiet power of the Hunter’s Shiraz, this season’s wines have received strong critical acclaim. Below is a roundup of the reviews so far.

2025 ‘THE CHASE’ SEMILLON

Named for our unending pursuit of purity, precision and, dare it be said, perfection, ‘The Chase’ draws on fruit from two standout vineyards: old vines at Brycefield in Lovedale and Tinkler’s School Block in central Pokolbin. Pressed gently and left to mature, slightly cloudy, in tank for four months, the wine is built for both immediate charm and long-term reward in the cellar — a balance reviewers have been quick to recognise.

“Fresh, clean and bright lemon juice aroma; delicate and refined in mouth, crisp and dry and has an overtone of crushed rock minerality. There is a vitality which promises longevity but it’s also immediately appealing.” Huon Hooke, 93 points (www.therealreview.com)

“The wine is tight, taut, poised and well-focused. There are hints of citrus, garden greens, jasmine, dry herbs, florals and grapefruit notes. Excellent length here, the wine has energy and drive with a lingering finish.” Ken Gargett, 94 points (www.winepilot.com)

“Nothing says summer like a chilled glass or two of a fresh, young, and crisp Hunter Valley semillon matched with some freshly shucked oysters. This one from Matt Burton at Gundog Estate is right in the zone with zingy citrus and green herbal notes, allied to zesty, refreshing acid on the finish.” Winsor Dobbins (www.gourmetontheroad.com)

“A starburst of juicy limes sets up a trail-blazing start. Fresh and crisp as great modern Hunter Valley Semillon should be… Delightful drinking, the fruit purity is what keeps me in the hunt, or is that the Chase? Either way, this is vibrant and alive and I want in. Great stuff!” Qwine, 93 points (www.qwinereviews.com)

2025 WILD SEMILLON

A Gundog Estate fixture since 2011, Wild Semillon takes a fresh, modern and unapologetically exotic approach to one of the Hunter’s classic varieties. This vintage blends components fermented clean in tank, others left cloudy in barrel, and a portion matured on 30% skins for four months — an unconventional process that continues to win over critics and drinkers alike seeking something a little different.

“A lemon/green hue, the nose offers notes of citrus, melons, florals, lemon curd, spices and hints of honeysuckle. There is a very gentle sweetness which subtly fills the palate, and the finish does persist well. A most appealing style, there is lots to like here.” Ken Gargett, 93 points (www.winepilot.com)

“Hunter wild fermented Semillon with a vitality and precision yet a curious sense of left of centre complexity. There’s tension, brightness and a fine chalky feel. Delicious now for its freshness, though clearly built with an eye to evolution.” Mike Bennie, 94 points (WBM Magazine)

“An off-dry Semillon that has been wild yeast fermented; there is plenty of textural interest here to delight… a delightful interplay of lemon juice and lemongrass. Herbal tea nuances offer a flirtatious charm with a delightful lemony acidity balancing out the residual sugar. Nicely done.” Qwine, 92 points (www.qwinereviews.com)

“It makes for one succulent drink and still provides that lower alcohol spectrum for sessionability.” Shanteh Wale, 91 points (www.winepilot.com)

2024 HUNTER’S SHIRAZ

Bringing together two classic Hunter sites — Will’s Hill in Lovedale for brightness and structure, and Tinkler’s Vineyard in Pokolbin for savoury depth and length — the Hunter’s Shiraz matures for fourteen months in French oak puncheons before release. Reviewers have consistently praised it for achieving real elegance without sacrificing character.

“A gleaming crimson/blood red colour, the nose exhibits alluring notes of cherries, cloves, truffles, freshly unearthed soil, dried herbs, florals and raspberries. A silky, creamy texture through to wonderfully silky tannins, the wine has exceptional length. A wine of focus and flavour, this is utterly delicious drinking now and will continue to be so over the next ten to fifteen years.” Ken Gargett, 94 points (www.winepilot.com)

“Hunter Shiraz at its most charming: medium bodied, savoury and finely structured… The palate feels energetic and composed, carrying excellent balance, fine tannin and a luxurious stretch. A wine that favours detail and drinkability over sheer power. Kudos.” Mike Bennie, 94 points (WBM Magazine)

“One can’t deny the richness of the old-vine material in this ripe, flavoursome shiraz. It is bursting with intense cherry and red plum fruit, with a haze of dusty back roads and more than a touch of oak.” Halliday Wine Companion, 93 points (www.winecompanion.com.au)

“This very classy Hunter Valley shiraz comes in well under $50 and offers stylish, sassy medium-weight red drinking pleasure… The result is a very smooth and stylish red that is immediate fun but could also be cellared for a few years.” Winsor Dobbins (www.gourmetontheroad.com)

TASTE THE SEASON

With reviews continuing to land across the industry, the response so far speaks to a vintage the Gundog Estate team is especially proud of. ‘The Chase’ Semillon, Wild Semillon and Hunter’s Shiraz are now available via the Gundog Estate cellar doors in Pokolbin and Gundaroo, online here, and through the Gundog Estate Wine Club.