Tyrrell’s on top of its game
During a recent tasting of ‘an extraordinary array of single-vineyard reds and whites’, Australian wine expert Huon Hooke of The Real Review describes Tyrrell’s as ‘on top of its game’ and still making ‘the best semillon in the region, arguably the best chardonnay and some of the best shiraz’. Tyrrell’s VAT 1 Semillon 2017, which topped the list of Tyrrell’s newly released vintages, will be launched in the UK later this month. Scoring 98 points, it came first in a line up of 50 Hunter Valley Semillons, closely followed by Tyrrell’s VAT 47 Chardonnay 2021 which was awarded 97 points.
Vat 9 Winemaker’s Selection Shiraz 2021
95/100
Deep-ish red with a good tint of purple and a reserved bouquet that showcases dusty/earthy/terracotta and tar aromas, the palate powerful yet soft and fleshy, the tannins svelte and smooth, with good extract and roundness. Sweet fruit core. Easy to enjoy already and will age long and productively.
Vat 8 Winemaker’s Selection Shiraz Cabernet 2021
95/100
Very deep, brooding red-purple colour; youthful and bright. Blackberry/cassis aromas allied with darker cherry and thyme. The palate is medium-full bodied and the structure clearly shows the influence of cabernet in the mix. There are spicy/stemmy nuances as well, and the wine is ample and fleshy in the mouth with generous fruit sweetness and softness, in spite of voluminous tannins. A very smart cab-shiraz.
Vat 1 Winemaker’s Selection Hunter’s Semillon 2017
98/100
Bright, light yellow colour with intense lemongrass aromas, hints of straw and wax, barely any toast evident at this stage, the palate intense and long, concentrated and driving, without bigness or heft but light on its feet and super-precise. Fills every corner of the mouth effortlessly: an outstanding semi-mature semillon. Superior concentration and persistence here. This is ageing very slowly and will be long-lived.
Vat 47 Winemaker’s Selection Chardonnay 2021
96/100
Light-medium bright yellow with a multi-layered bouquet, fruit driving it—grapefruit, lemon, crème patissière, oatmeal biscuit and nougat—while the palate displays superior fruit concentration and drive, powering through to a very long finish which is balanced and appetising, harmonious and satisfying. Very smart chardonnay that will also age well.
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