2019 Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon

As of this tasting at the end of 2025, the 2019 Vat 1 Semillon is nearly seven years from its harvest. The wine is yet to fully develop the characteristic and desirable toastiness that is endemic to great, older Hunter Valley Semillon, and yet there are whiffs of it. And it is good. There are notes of creamed honey on toast, pressed linen, lemon pith, ocean spray, crushed shells and wheat. In the mouth, the wine is featherlight, intense and long through the finish. This is very good indeed. 10.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Sourced from old vines planted on ancient sand, the 2019 is tightly bound with vibrant citrus, white stone fruit and apple blossom. Remarkably pure, driven and delicate, it will age into magnificence in the decades to come.

Sourced from the oldest and best blocks, dry grown vines dating back to 1923. The 2019 continues the harmonious vintage streak with superb fruit intensity showing zested limes, calamansi pip and wet river stone. Some apple blossoms and fresh linen billowing on the hills hoist. Its time in bottle has allowed the wine to snuggle into itself and drinks with the same magnitude of flavour as the nose promises, scratch that, it actually doubles down in its fruit power. Shouting from the rooftops with lime margaritas, Mirabelle plums and pistachio nougatine. A mealy cashew mid palate and a long echoing, juicy acidity and persistent length. Simply put, it’s everything you hoped it would be and drinking like an Aussie bushland dream. Its purity and complexity is and always is utterly astounding. This is the best money you can spend on an Australian wine icon. Drink now with oysters (obvs) maybe with a white wine mignonette and some sea succulent. Or put your faith in Semillon and lay down for further 10 years, 20 or 30 years plus.