Australian Owned for 150 Years
A classic Hunter Valley Semillon showing a tightly structured palate with considerable length and breadth of citrus fruit flavours. This wine is beginning to display toasty bottle aged complexity. Whilst drinking well now, it will continue to develop delicious bottle age characters until at least 2012.
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2010 : Reviews (0)
2003 : Reviews (13)
2002 : Reviews (12)
2000 : Reviews (8)
1999 : Reviews (12)
There are currently no reviews listed for this vintage.
Gourmet Traveller WINE - Aug/Sep 2010 - Huon Hooke 94 Points & 5 Stars
A very backward, slow ageing wine that will seemingly live on forever. Straw-hay and hot-ironed cotton aromas. High-acid, bone-dry, crisp and delicate: a marvellous wine now and promising more to come.
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Daily Telegraph - Jeff Collerson 15 May 2010
Expensive but is actually good value considering this was harvested seven years ago. One of Australia's great white wines. The 1999 is drinking sensationally and the '03, a triple gold medal winner, is headed in the same direction. Just great with grilled snapper.
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Illawarra Mercury - Kerry Skinner 17 April 2010
World class, a winner of 92 trophies, 344 golds and more than 400 silver and bronze medals since it was first released in 1962. Textured and elegant with vibrant lemon and lime fruit flavours, integrated toasty and honeyed characters, lively acidity, clean, dry finish. Pedigree to cellar for another 20 years.
Sydney Morning Herald - Jane Faulkner 10 April 2010
The Vat 1 is Tyrrell's top semillon and it's a stunner. there's a layer of honeyed lemon and honeysuckle aromas. It's super tight, with zest-like acidity, a touch of lanolin and fennel seed complexity before an exceptionally long finish.
The Age - 10 April 2010
The '03 hints at how brilliantly this variety ages with honeysuckle aromas. It's ultra-refreshing with an exceptionally long finish. Will age gracefully for at least a decade.
Melbourne Weekly - Jeff Gordon March 2010
This wine has had five year in the bottle and is now beginning to show the lovely toast and slight honeysuckle characteristics of developed semillon, but as it was bottled under screw cap it still has the delightful freshness and citrus/acid bite that makes aged semillon so popular with wine show judges and white wine drinkers.
Wine 100 - March 2010
In the midst of a dizzying array of single vineyard Semillons emerging from the Tyrrell's stable, Vat 1 remains as reliable, as youthful and as age-worthy as ever. Searing acidity that spans the lemon, lime and green apply spectrum carries through long on the finish. Give it twenty years.
Winewise - February 2010
Typically lemon grass/lanolin characteristics - slight mature toasty hints on nose. Good fruit with acid support. Time is catching up with this Vat 1. Drink it all over the next couple of years.
www.gismondionwine.com - Darryl Weinbren 25 January 2010
Floral, nutty, lemon, pink grapefruit, passion fruit, waxy, fresh nose. Dry, tight, round, zippy, fresh and elegant with grapefruit, nettle, lemon, lime, nutty, slate, passoin fruit flavours. A bit more austere in style but has good intensity and balance. Will age for 20 years in Stelvin. Try with oysters or squid.
Wine Access Magazine - DJ Kearny 14th January 2010
Hunter séms are unoaked and low yields keep acids razor sharp and honeycomb flavours intense. Showing toasty, citrusy flavours with notes of honey and nuts, the tight structure of this wine will continue to support bottle-age complexity. Drink now with rich seafood dishes, or wait 10 more years and have with aged cheese. 94 points
Australian Wine Journal - 6 January 2009
The 2003 Vat 1 remains a youthful clear-straw colour, unfolding to a cleanly lifted fragrance of toasty melon, lime and lemon fruits marked by flinty mineral edges and a surprising hint of spice. Bell-clear, fresh and zingy, this drought year semillon (handpicked in late January) presents a juicy expression of pristine citrus/melon flavours enveloped by distinctly drier, developing notes of toast and cashew nuts. It finishes savoury, long and dry, with a somewhat prickly, broader influence of zesty acids and spritz. This 7 year old Vat 1 might be nearing the halfway mark of its development, yet it's exceptionally addictive and easy to drink right now, without a single sign of adolescent awkwardness whatsoever (perhaps due to its choice of closure?) Under screwcap it should cellar safely and improve for up to another decade. Drink to 2019.
Winestate - 1 December 2009
Amazingly fresh and vibrant for its age. Lemony fruit, toasty, honeyed development and still loads of acidity.
Australian Wine Companion - James Halliday 2010
A mere suggestion of toasty development, with lemon butter and straw; generous on entry, the texture provides a bit of grip, drawing the palate out harmoniously; one of the most age-worthy from the vintage. Rating 95 To 2020
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The Independent Consumer's Guide to Fine Wines - Robert Parker April 2010
The 2009 Stevens Vineyard Semillon is a stunning example of this, exhibiting golden delicious apple, fresh pears, orange rind and delicate jasmine aromas. Great intensity with a backbone of very high acidity. Somewhat austere at this stage. Minerals poking through in the very long finish. Drink 2013 to 2022+.
Telegraph UK - Jonathan Ray 22 January 2010
This is seriously grown-up stuff which proves that lack of alcohol doesn't necessarily mean lack of character. From the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, this is picked at early ripeness, cool fermented and aged briefly on the lees before being bottled. It is fresh and citrusy, but creamy and toasty too (despite no oak). Superb with roast cod and pancetta.
Wine Selector - Summer 09
The 2002 vintage in the Hunter Valley was given Tyrrell's highest rating for quality, which might help explain why this incredible wine has been awarded a massive 10 Gold medals! Order enough to put some away for quite a few more years.
Winestate - October 2009
Still amazingly youthful. Excellent example of an aged Hunter semillon. It's all toasty, cashews and bath salts on the nose, with lovely lemon purity on the super-pristine, clean palate.
NSW Wine Uncovered - James Halliday 2009
Vat 1 is the flagbearer for Hunter semillon, reflecting the vast experience of the winemaking teawm. Still pale and bright; it has the feminine delicacy of all great Hunter semillons, yet has layer-upon-layer of flavour, in a seamless mix of lemon, honey and acidity, toasty notes yet to come. Drink: Now to 2017
Still pale and bright; small wonder it has such a spectacular show record (9 golds stretching from 2002 to ’07); it has the feminine delicacy of all great Hunter Semillons, yet has layer-upon-layer of flavour, in a seamless mix of lemon, honey and acidity, toasty notes yet to come. Pray all corks are as good as this one. Rating 96 To 2017
100 Best Australian Wines - Matthew Jukes 12 May 2009
We always adore these mature Semillon releases, particularly when they gather momentum and with it richness on the palate. Remember that this is an unoaked wine. It is only in this section by dint of its age which has augmented and upholstered the aromas and flavours by a factor seemingly unimaginable in this wine’s youth. Every year we recite the Hunter anthem in the hope that you will join in, this wine has the pomp and circumstance to turn heads, so let them be yours.
Winewise - Len Sorbello March 2009
This is the wine I will be drinking over the next 2/3 years as I think it's close to its peak. The aromas are rich and vibrant with lemon and honey characters which are reflected in the highly flavoured palate, balanced by lovely refreshing acidity. Partner with chicken and pork!
West Australian - Ray Jordan 28 February 2009
A famous wine from the Hunter that battles with the Lovedale for the title of our greatest semillon. It generally shows its best after eight or 10 years. This is right on the mark with its tightly stuctured palate and great length displaying some attractive citrus flavours. It's still quite tight but just starting to reveal some slight toasty bottle-aged complexity. 95/100
West Weekend Magazine - West Australian 28 February 2009
Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon 2002 (Hunter Valley) ($56) A famous wine from the Hunter that battles Loveldale for the title of the greatest semillon. It generally shows its best after eight or 10 years. This is right on the mark with its tightly structured palate and great length displaying some attractive citrus flavours. Its still quite tight but just starting to reveal some slight toasty bottle-aged complexity. 95/100
Winestate - Winestate 1 January 2009
Still very youthful green apple aromas with a touch of honey. Palate has moderate level of fruit that's a touch green. Lean finish.
Winestate - Winestate October 2008
Slightly prickly, fresh lemon aromas and a pleasant palate with strong citrus notes and showing attractive complexity.
WBM - WBM April 2008
Vat 1 is consistently one of the great Semillons of the world, turning heads both in its infancy and its maturity. It's a shame it's usually released after it's lost the vibrancy of youth but hasn't gained the depth of maturity. Not this year, thankfully! The gentle lemon and lanolin flavours of an early drinking vintage like 2000 make it perfect for pouring now.
Winestate - Winestate February 2008
Another beautifully developed semillon with plenty of acidity left so you can drink it now or try it in five years. Light, fragrant fruit aromas and a very flavoursome palate.
West Australian - West Australian 26 January 2008
Hunter semillons begin as shy things, with the faintest hint of talcy lemon; high in acid and austere. But with ageing, they transform into beautiful rich and flavoursome wines of great complexity - deep in colour and captivating aromas of toast, lemon and nuts. The famous Tyrrell's Vat 1 semillon 2000 is a great example of the style and one which will cellar happily for a few more years. Tyrrell's releases its Vat 1 with at least five year's age and this trophy winner is showing the subtle development you'd expect. A beauty.
Winestate - Winestate December 2007
Old-fashioned-style aromas, lean, green and grassy, and fresh citrus flavours edged with crisp green apple acid. "Can you believe how fresh it is?" asked one judge. "It will still be around in 10 years!" 4.5 stars
Canberra City News - Peter Dietsch 6 December 2007
The most consistently impressive semillon in Australia. Glorious toasty complexity, but still remarkably fresh, and a privilege to drink on any occasion.
Winestate Magazine - NA August 2007
"Another beautifully developed semillon with plenty of acidity left so you can drink it now or try it in five years. Light, fragrant fruit aromas and a very flavoursome palate." 4.5 stars
International Wine Cellar - NA July/August 2007
“Light yellow. Intensely mineral aromas of vibrant lime, pink grapefruit and quince are deepened by beeswax and musky herbs. Youthfully clenched citrus and pit fruit flavors are braced by firm minerality, opening slowly to show deeper melon and pear flavors.” 91 points.
The Sunday Telegraph - Matt Skinner 29 July 2007
“Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Hunter Semillon 2000 is the latest in a long and highly awarded line of offerings from this Hunter superstar. Lemon, honey and spice lead the aroma charge, while in your mouth it’s expansive, beautifully structured and built for the long haul.”
www.gismondianwine.com - Darryl Weinbren 25 January 2010
Showing maturity under cork with cashew, butter, honey, grapefruit, lime, creamy, cooked quince aromas. The palate is very dry and somewhat flatter with cedar, nutty, toasty, nettle, lime, grapefruit rind flavours. A more austere, mature bottle with a slightly tart, dry finish.
Newcastle Herald - John Lewis 26 August 2009
The price is high, but this is a sublime example of aged Hunter Semillon, which last week added a 2009 Hunter Valley Wine Show gold medal to its already big haul of show medals and trophies. It is brassy gold in the glass and has perfumed jasmine and lanolin aromas. Silky smooth ruby grapefruit flavour glides onto the front of the palate, croissant and leatherwood honey characters join in on the middle palate. Fresh slatey acid comes through at the finish. It can be brought at theTyrrell's cellar door, in Broke Road, Pokolbin. Drink with: lobster and glass noodle triangles, pan-fried roulade of chicken or garfish fillets in prawn bisque sauce. Ageing: eight years
Is this wine really 10 years old? From the superb colour to the vibrant lemon/vanillin aromas, this wine exhibits long, lingering complex flavours which are not yet fully developed. The finish is clean, crisp and lipsmacking. I'm going to keep my remaining bottles for at least another 5 years!
Decanter - Steven Spurrier April 2008
First produced in 1963 from vines dating to 1920, this Australian classic is a fleshy Semillon, with terrific minerality and length, a totally dry finish and enough complexity to rival Yquem's Ygrec. For winemaker Andrew Spinaze, 1999 was the best vintage of the 1990s.
The Stamford Advocate - Bill Van Ollefen NA
“Clean and crisp on the nose. The wine is restrained with lemon citrus peeking through and an excellent finish showing some toast from the bottle aging. Excellent now and will mature nicely in the cellar for five or more years taking on the characteristics described above.”
Winestate Magazine - NA Jan 2006
“Think lemon curd when you nose this one – then add some crushed herbs and a dash of lime. Has an excellent toasty palate with great structure and long, lingering, fresh citrus flavours. Has plenty of life ahead.” 5 stars
Winewise - Feb 2006
OLDER SEMILLON – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED “It's yet to hit its straps, but has quality stamped all over it. The backward nature of this wine is quite remarkable – it tastes like it's about 2–3 years old. Despite all that, it has already made its mark on the show circuit. Cellar ten years. This wine has the potential of becoming one of the truly great classics of the Hunter Valley.”
The Stamford Advocate - Bill Van Ollefen
Uncorked, The Sun-Herald - Huon Hooke, Ralph Kyte-Powell, Sally Gudgeon
WHITE WINES OVER $25 “This classic Hunter Semillon has a component that the variety doesn’t always get – bottle age. It shows citrus and mineral notes that are savoury and appetising, with a toasty edge emerging. This soft mid-palate has generous flavour, finishing dry.” Food: Shellfish 5 STARS
Winestate Magazine - March/ April 2006
“Amazingly fresh and vibrant for a seven-year-old wine. The palate delivers an impressive intensity and complexity of lemon, straw and honeysuckle flavours. Lean and structured. “Outstanding!” noted one judge.” 5 STARS
The Weekend Australian - James Halliday 19-20 Nov 2005
“It wasn’t the two trophies and four gold medals that edged this past other contenders... Superb colour, almost floral lemon juice aromas, and a brilliantly fresh, fine, long and lingering palate mark a perfect bottle.” Drink: Now – 2010 Region: Hunter Valley, NSW 97 points
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Tasting Notes : All tasting notes are available on the Vintages page