2014 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon - Hunter Valley
97 points and Special Value Wine ★ James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
"Only available to Wine Club members now, the main release 5 years down the track. Made from the estate's Short Flat Vineyard, the blocks dating back to '23, this is destined to add yet more trophies to the Tyrrell's warehouse of such tributes. Its balance and mouthfeel are remarkable, supple and juicy, yet cleansed by gently insistent acidity." James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion – 97 points and Special Value Wine ★
96+ points Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
"'2013 and 2014 will be top vintages', states winemaker Andrew Spinaze, 'it's a real Vat 1 character; very intense, robust almost. Intensity is at the highest here in 2014'. Interestingly, the winemaking team is talking shifting production across to the basket press, for more phenolic work and complexity of texture. A changing of style, or reverting to…
Compact and powerful wine. Such focus and persistence too. Waxy and floral notes in perfume, citrus to the max. Purity of flavour, light juicy citrus, squeaky waxiness in texture, big hit of flint-like minerality, almost a rock chisel and then green apple. Incredible power. Incredible focus. Incredible young release. Drink: 2017-2034+."
96 points Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast
"From a stellar vintage in Hunter Valley, this late-release wine is just coming into its own. Freshly squeezed lemon bursts from the glass, accompanied by citrus leaf, blossom and white spice notes. A laser beam of crystalline acidity slices through the textural, citrus-driven palate. Drink now with buttery seafood, or cellar for through 2035."
95 points Andrew Graham, Australian Wine Review
"Yet another stellar release from a red wine vintage (like 2005), what’s magical here is the contrasts – the green apple and rampant acidity, but also the first whispers of wax, toast and popcorn. Each time you have another sip the identity changes – all primary fruit and aching youth at first, then that subtle secondary richness next. It’s fuller through the middle than, say, the green-edged 2012, but that just makes it even more drinkable. It’s a great Vat 1. Like the ’11. Or the ’05, or even the ’99. But it’s not ready. Not yet. Greatness needs time. Best drinking: Not now. It’s still too primary. Too sprightly. Wait until it’s eight, then drink it whenever you like for over next twenty years. I’d open in 2024. Would I buy it? Gladly."
97 points and Special Value Wine ★ James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
"Only available to Wine Club members now, the main release 5 years down the track. Made from the estate's Short Flat Vineyard, the blocks dating back to '23, this is destined to add yet more trophies to the Tyrrell's warehouse of such tributes. Its balance and mouthfeel are remarkable, supple and juicy, yet cleansed by gently insistent acidity." James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion – 97 points and Special Value Wine ★
96+ points Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
"'2013 and 2014 will be top vintages', states winemaker Andrew Spinaze, 'it's a real Vat 1 character; very intense, robust almost. Intensity is at the highest here in 2014'. Interestingly, the winemaking team is talking shifting production across to the basket press, for more phenolic work and complexity of texture. A changing of style, or reverting to…
Compact and powerful wine. Such focus and persistence too. Waxy and floral notes in perfume, citrus to the max. Purity of flavour, light juicy citrus, squeaky waxiness in texture, big hit of flint-like minerality, almost a rock chisel and then green apple. Incredible power. Incredible focus. Incredible young release. Drink: 2017-2034+."
96 points Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast
"From a stellar vintage in Hunter Valley, this late-release wine is just coming into its own. Freshly squeezed lemon bursts from the glass, accompanied by citrus leaf, blossom and white spice notes. A laser beam of crystalline acidity slices through the textural, citrus-driven palate. Drink now with buttery seafood, or cellar for through 2035."
95 points Andrew Graham, Australian Wine Review
"Yet another stellar release from a red wine vintage (like 2005), what’s magical here is the contrasts – the green apple and rampant acidity, but also the first whispers of wax, toast and popcorn. Each time you have another sip the identity changes – all primary fruit and aching youth at first, then that subtle secondary richness next. It’s fuller through the middle than, say, the green-edged 2012, but that just makes it even more drinkable. It’s a great Vat 1. Like the ’11. Or the ’05, or even the ’99. But it’s not ready. Not yet. Greatness needs time. Best drinking: Not now. It’s still too primary. Too sprightly. Wait until it’s eight, then drink it whenever you like for over next twenty years. I’d open in 2024. Would I buy it? Gladly."
97 points and Special Value Wine ★ James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
"Only available to Wine Club members now, the main release 5 years down the track. Made from the estate's Short Flat Vineyard, the blocks dating back to '23, this is destined to add yet more trophies to the Tyrrell's warehouse of such tributes. Its balance and mouthfeel are remarkable, supple and juicy, yet cleansed by gently insistent acidity." James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion – 97 points and Special Value Wine ★
96+ points Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
"'2013 and 2014 will be top vintages', states winemaker Andrew Spinaze, 'it's a real Vat 1 character; very intense, robust almost. Intensity is at the highest here in 2014'. Interestingly, the winemaking team is talking shifting production across to the basket press, for more phenolic work and complexity of texture. A changing of style, or reverting to…
Compact and powerful wine. Such focus and persistence too. Waxy and floral notes in perfume, citrus to the max. Purity of flavour, light juicy citrus, squeaky waxiness in texture, big hit of flint-like minerality, almost a rock chisel and then green apple. Incredible power. Incredible focus. Incredible young release. Drink: 2017-2034+."
96 points Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast
"From a stellar vintage in Hunter Valley, this late-release wine is just coming into its own. Freshly squeezed lemon bursts from the glass, accompanied by citrus leaf, blossom and white spice notes. A laser beam of crystalline acidity slices through the textural, citrus-driven palate. Drink now with buttery seafood, or cellar for through 2035."
95 points Andrew Graham, Australian Wine Review
"Yet another stellar release from a red wine vintage (like 2005), what’s magical here is the contrasts – the green apple and rampant acidity, but also the first whispers of wax, toast and popcorn. Each time you have another sip the identity changes – all primary fruit and aching youth at first, then that subtle secondary richness next. It’s fuller through the middle than, say, the green-edged 2012, but that just makes it even more drinkable. It’s a great Vat 1. Like the ’11. Or the ’05, or even the ’99. But it’s not ready. Not yet. Greatness needs time. Best drinking: Not now. It’s still too primary. Too sprightly. Wait until it’s eight, then drink it whenever you like for over next twenty years. I’d open in 2024. Would I buy it? Gladly."
Producer: Tyrrell's Wines
Country: Australia
Region: Hunter Valley
Vintage: 2006
Critic Score: 97 and ★★★★★
Alcohol: 10.5%
Size: 750 ml
Drink by: 2035
