Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Tyrrell’s — Vat 1 Semillon 2018
Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A benchmark, 100% Semillon from one of Australia’s most historic producers, crafted from old vines in the Hunter Valley, a region globally revered for producing age-worthy, low-alcohol, high-acid Semillon of extraordinary precision and longevity. This cuvée captures purity, tension, and evolution in perfect balance, expressing both site transparency and classic Tyrrell’s restraint.

Aromas & Flavors
Lifted citrus blossom, lemon curd, kaffir lime, and delicate white florals lead the aromatics. Subtle layers of green apple skin, preserved lemon, and faint tropical notes emerge with air. Underneath, a gentle mineral thread, wet stone and crushed river rock, adds depth and quiet complexity without overpowering the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Silky, finely textured, and beautifully tension-driven. Creamy without weight, with linear acidity carrying the wine effortlessly across the palate. The structure feels energetic and precise, offering freshness, elegance, and remarkable drinkability without richness or heaviness.

Food Pairings
Oysters with citrus mignonette. Grilled prawns with lemon butter. Poached halibut with herbs. Sushi and sashimi. Fresh chèvre or lightly aged goat cheese.

Verdict
An exceptional example of New World Semillon executed with Old World discipline. Elegant, mineral-driven, and quietly powerful, this wine delivers layered complexity while remaining feather-light on its feet. A timeless style that continues to reward both immediate pleasure and long-term cellaring.

Did You Know?
Hunter Valley Semillon is famous for being bottled young at low alcohol and evolving dramatically with age, developing toast, honey, and lanolin complexity over decades while maintaining razor-sharp acidity. Tyrrell’s Vat Semillon wines have been among Australia’s most collectible and ageworthy whites for generations.

🍷 Personal Pick
Pure nostalgia in a glass. This wine reconnects me with the region that sparked my early love for Australian whites, refined, disciplined, expressive, and endlessly drinkable. A masterclass in tension, restraint, and terroir clarity. This is Semillon at its highest form. — 8 days ago

Andrew Shaheen

9.0

Fun but past it’s prime — 2 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.2

Far too young, but really good and promising — 4 years ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Lovely blackberry aromas and flavors up front, nice depth and balance, good acidity, medium-long finish, solid Heathcote Shiraz, lingering finish, very good!! — 3 months ago

with Jim

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Bright medium ruby with medium wide violet pink rim . This is quite exuberantly fruited on the nose at first , with plum , dark cherry , violets then some dry spices, anis, with some slightly toasty , earthy hints after a while . On the palate this is velvety in texture , medium bodied with red plum , dark cherry , ripe blackberry , with a discreet dried spice note . Balanced alcohol , ripe but lightly grippy tannins , and good freshness . Medium length , with cherry , anis and toasty , earthy notes on the finish. Youthful but certainly enjoyable now and , I would imagine , over the next 5-10 years. — 6 months ago

Mark S.

9.1

Oak, lime like herb in aroma. Rich, citrus, white flowers. Citrus, comfortable acidity. Each factor in the taste is showing the feature clearly. From Hunter valley which is an initial place for wine in Australia. Vat 47 Hunter Chardonnay Tyrrell’s 2018 @7546, Toscany JH, 231028-231111 — 2 years ago

Stanislav Lobanov

9.2

17/20 (92/100) Мне определенно нравится, как развивается это шардоне: аромат поджаренного хлеба, сливочного масла, цедры лимона, спелого яблока. Довольно тельное и кислотное. Отлично! — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous Delectable note in December 2024. Amazingly pale for a 14 year old white. Aromatics of lemon, lanolin and wet straw. It hasn’t yet developed the toasty characters I was expecting, indicating still a long life ahead. Overall this is delicate on a light bodied leanish palate. Only 11% ABV. Lovers of big buttery Chardonnay may not appreciate this wine. 3 bottles left - I will try and have the next one in 12 to 18 months. — 5 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Light golden color. Aromas of straw/hay, wet stones and Asian pear. Flavors of green melon, key lime, sour quince, beeswax, dried herbs and lemon zest. Touch of minerality on the lingering and quite refined finish. Mouth coating oily texture. Medium acidity and plush texture. Only 11% Alcohol. Quite unique and interesting. Solid QPR. — 10 months ago

Adam Beasley

8.9

First Australian Shiraz I have had in ages. It was recommended as an exception to the usual 16% bruisers that we’ve all encountered. This one at 13.5% was super juicy - bursting with black and blue berries, slight forest floor, and wet concrete. Medium acid and tannin, with a fresh finish. I doubt I would have called Syrah if had blind, this comes across as just well made and balanced red wine. Simple but with impressive purity of fruit. — 4 years ago