Critic ratings
robert_parker
2022
Rating:
97
–97
The 2022 Vat 1 Semillon is already complex and full-bodied, and this signals the style of Vat 1 to a tee. Richer and more concentrated than many (read: most) in the region, Tyrrell's has sat at the top of the Australian Semillon quality tree for almost forever, and it is this cuvée that leads the charge. I never thought I'd say this out loud, let alone in print, but I miss all the top-heavy gold medal and trophy stickers that adorn the fronts of the older vintages. Perhaps the numbers got out of control, or there wasn't enough room on the bottle ... who knows. But bring them back. Regardless, this has salted white peach, apples, lemongrass, sandalwood, crushed shells, a dash of caper brine and layers of minerals and rocks. So, it's super good, but it will be even better in the future, just you watch.
robert_parker
2017
Rating:
97
–97
The 2017 Vat 1 Semillon represents an excellent Semillon vintage in the Hunter Valley, and it is here that we start to see the majesty of aged Semillon begin to unfold. Sun-drenched hay, caper brine, wisps of black tea, crushed shells, a whiff of Szechuan peppercorn, lemongrass, green apples and cold buttered toast. In the mouth, the wine is texturally silky (with a weighty fall, like heavy gauge silk) and lingering. It moves with momentum rather than outright speed (like watching a whale shark swim: they might move slowly, but they swim fast), and it has a clarity and freshness in the mouth that is astounding. This is a super wine, an evocative wine, an imaginative wine. It's a wine on the up, with miles to go before it sleeps...
robert_parker
2013
Rating:
93
–93
The 2013 Vat 1 Semillon opens with pretty aromas of fresh apple, pears and lemon peel on the nose. Slightly tropical in the mouth, it is dry, light-bodied and endowed with tons of flavor, great ripeness and a crisp acid line yet the wine remains approachable and nicely textured through the long and apple-laced finish.
robert_parker
2013
Rating:
96
–96
Before I explain what this tastes like, it is important to note that between the 2017 and the 2006, there is very little color difference in the glass. Here, you get green glints, pale straw lemon, and it's packed (and I mean PACKED) with flavor. So, this 2013 Vat 1 Semillon is closed on the nose, reduced to preserved lemon rind, brine, quinine and crushed shells. Quiet things. In the mouth, this Zen mood continues; it unfurls in a languid fashion, slowly spooling white tea, apple skins, juniper, creamed honey and beeswax. If this wine had a sound, it would be the cast of a baited, weighted fishing line, right before it *plonks* into the water. It appears nine years is the cusp of old and new in these Vat 1s. My advice is to hold it.
robert_parker
2011
Rating:
93
–93
The 2011 Vat 1 Semillon presents a citrus nose garlanded with lemon grass and lime leaves that is quite chalky and a little closed. In the mouth it is a classic Vat 1 – bone dry and light-bodied with rasping acidity, great citrus intensity and mineral character. It has a very long, elegant finish though needs time to evolve.
robert_parker
2010
Rating:
94
–94
Vat 1 Semillon is fermented in stainless steel, spending a short time on lees in tank prior to bottling. It sees no oak. The 2010 Winemaker’s Selection Vat 1 Semillon has youthfully mute aromas of lemon peel, fresh grass, chalk boards, fresh lime juice and grapefruit. Very crisp, dry and light-bodied, it possesses an excellent concentration of citrus and mineral flavors, finishing long. Don’t even think about drinking this now – try it in about 5-6 years when it will start to enter its drinking window. It should cellar to 2022+.
Tyrrell’s continues to set a very high benchmark in the Hunter, offering a broad range of wines across many price points and styles that can’t fail to impress. Australia’s original Chardonnay – Vat 47 – is partially fermented in stainless steel before being transferred into new, one and two year old French oak barriques. Malo-lactic is avoided. It is matured on yeast lees for around six months prior to blending and bottling.
Importer: Indigo Wine Group, FL; tel: (941) 483 1816
robert_parker
2009
Rating:
92
–92
Tasted at the ‘One Family Tasting’ at the Imagination Gallery. The Tyrrel Vat 1 ’09 sports a light, primal nose with touches of wild honey and acacia. The palate has a well defined entry, lime zest, green apple and a touch of lemongrass, nicely poised, good acidity with a long finish. This will need serious aging as usual, but the focus and the “intention” is very promising. Drink 2016-2030. Tasted May 2010
robert_parker
2009
Rating:
93
–93
The 2009 Vat 1 Semillon opens to apple notes that are barely showing any evolution and have a little peachy, floral lift to the nose. Very primary and fruity flavors that have a lovely balance emerge on the palate and are quite expressive along with the approachable acidity. It has a long, pure fruit finish.
robert_parker
2009
Rating:
92
–92
Medium-bodied and frankly a bit broad for the genre, the 2009 Vat 1 Semillon has evolved rapidly. Chris Tyrrell calls it a "softer-acid year," and while it still shows some lemony flavors, it's also moved on into notes of smoke and honey. Drink it over the next few years.
robert_parker
2009
Rating:
94
–94
Topping Tyrrell’s list of Semillons (and some would argue their portfolio) the 2009 Vat 1 Semillon already possesses an intensely scented nose of lime juice and lime leaf with coriander seed, dill and crushed stone nuances. Quite a bit of white pepper and mineral character coming through on the palate and lots of mouth-wateringly citrusy fruit. Crisp. Very long. Drink 2015 to 2030.
A pioneer of the Hunter Valley, today Tyrrell’s still sets the benchmark for this region, producing Semillons, Chardonnays and Shirazes that are amongst the best if not the finest in the Hunter when their vineyards and the vintage align. Since selling their entry level Long Flat label, focus at Tyrrell’s has returned to producing middle range to premium wines and the increased emphasis on quality is evident in their recent releases. While the Semillons have always been a forte and the Vat 47 Chardonnay one of Australia’s finest, it’s the Shirazes for me that are displaying the most marked improvement, displaying wonderful purity and intensity.
Importer: Indigo Wine Group, FL; tel: (941) 483-1816
robert_parker
2009
Rating:
95
–95
Ah. The stickers. This 2009 Vat 1 Semillon was awarded a total of 17 gold medals, nine top golds, a whopping 18 trophies (which must make it close to an Australian record holder, surely) and two Wines of Provenance trophies at Australia wine shows. I know this because there are stickers on the front label that tell the tale. It's almost tacky, and I love it. The wine is anything but tacky; this is grace and power and elegance, hand in glove. On the nose, damp hessian, peach fuzz, caper brine, preserved lemon, creamed honey, white tea (and some green), cold buttered toast, sun-drenched honeysuckle and crushed shells. What an introduction. The palate follows suit and is strident, complex and billowing in flavor. This has a slightly different finish from the others, more cheesecloth and rind here. Textured and super smart, it's drinking well now.
robert_parker
2007
Rating:
92
–92
The 2007 Vat 1 Semillon is showing a little evolution with yeasty, nutty and toasty notes complimented by hints of baked apple. It has tons of flavor supported by a nice acid backbone and is ready to enjoy.
robert_parker
2007
Rating:
92
–92
The 2007 Winemaker's Selection Vat 1 Hunter Semillon still has a very primary nose with notes of freshly squeezed lemons and yuzu zest over touches of wet pebbles, Brazil nuts and lime blossom. Light-bodied, dry and very tart on the palate at this youthful stage, it is probably still just a year shy of its ideal drinking window though the finish is very long, very refreshing and very promising. Drink it 2014 to 2024+.
Importer: Indigo Wine Group, FL; tel. (941) 483-1816
robert_parker
2006
Rating:
95
–95
The 2006 Vat 1 Semillon is evolving into that wonderful straw, crushed stone and toasted almond character. It is really crisp and classic in the mouth with key lime flavors and a very fine, especially long finish. This is a great great wine that should age remarkably.
robert_parker
2006
Rating:
94
–94
The 2006 Winemaker's Selection Vat 1 Hunter Semillon shows some evolutionary notes of straw, lightly browned toast and almonds over a core of lemon peel, lime cordial and kumquat notes. Characteristically light-bodied, dry and crisp, it fills the mouth with vibrant citrus flavors mellowed by toasty notes before finishing with great persistence. Drink it now to 2024+.
Importer: Indigo Wine Group, FL; tel. (941) 483-1816
robert_parker
2006
Rating:
97
–97
The 2006 Vat 1 Semillon had a fine spritz in the glass as I poured it, and now in the mouth, 30 minutes later, it is alive and kinetic in texture. This is complex and vital, so alive and pert it feels younger than the 2009 tasted beside it, perhaps even brighter than the 2013. A marvelous wine. All things tight and glorious here, you get lemongrass, brine, grated apple peel, jasmine tea, almond meal, citrus oil, lemon verbena, thyme ... I could go on. Suffice to say, this is sensational. It has a resonant vibration at its very core.
robert_parker
2005
Rating:
95
–95
The really, really young – not budging at all in terms of aging - 2005 Vat 1 Semillon still shows a little residual CO2 on the nose along with notes of lemon and fresh yuzu zest plus hints of wet pebbles; it is actually a little closed. Not so with the palate as it is bursting with citrus flavor, tons of acid freshness and a very long and pebbly character in the finish. Still young to drink – it could well have 50+ years of ageing potential.
robert_parker
2005
Rating:
95
–95
Hunter Valley's benchmark Sémillon, the 2005 Vat 1 Semillon, is the top example I've ever tasted, at the peak of its maturity. Complex notes of beeswax, orange zest and citrus sherbet retain great freshness, while at the same time they've broadened out and softened on the palate. This is a complete white wine, capable of competing with the best of the world.
robert_parker
2005
Rating:
93
–93
The 2005 Winemaker’s Selection Vat 1 Semillon has a moderate intensity of straw and lemon peel aromas over crushed stones, dried pineapple and lemon curd. Light-bodied, dry and crisp, it has a good concentration of citrus flavors, just beginning to evolve. The finish is long with a touch of chalkiness. Just starting to become approachable, it should drink best from 2012 to 2022+.
Tyrrell’s continues to set a very high benchmark in the Hunter, offering a broad range of wines across many price points and styles that can’t fail to impress. Australia’s original Chardonnay – Vat 47 – is partially fermented in stainless steel before being transferred into new, one and two year old French oak barriques. Malo-lactic is avoided. It is matured on yeast lees for around six months prior to blending and bottling.
Importer: Indigo Wine Group, FL; tel: (941) 483 1816
robert_parker
2005
Rating:
97
–97
The 2005 Vat 1 Semillon is currently in the perfect place to drink it—right now, in 2022. This is tight, taut, complex and evolving, moving around the mouth like a time-lapse of dappled sunlight across an afternoon. It has hay, lemongrass, shells, white sand, tamarind, honeysuckle, creamed honey, bitter walnut, meal and preserved citrus in abundance. What I like most about this wine is its restraint. It is barely bridled, yet it is bridled enough. Utterly sensational. My words butcher the experience.
robert_parker
2004
Rating:
92
–92
The 2004 Vat 1 Semillon is quite a pretty wine flaunting a very delicate floral nose dotted with lime and peach blossom aromas. There’s a lovely line of citrus flavors running through the waxy palate along with a nice yeasty and creamy character. It finishes long.
robert_parker
2004
Rating:
93
–93
The 2004 Winemaker’s Selection Vat 1 Semillon presents pronounced notes of lemon zest and under-ripe apple with some toast, crushed stones, white pepper and ground ginger nuances. Very light and delicate in the mouth, it has crisp acid, plenty of peppery citrus flavors and a long minerally finish. Drinking now, it should continue to improve and cellar to 2022+.
Tyrrell’s continues to set a very high benchmark in the Hunter, offering a broad range of wines across many price points and styles that can’t fail to impress. Australia’s original Chardonnay – Vat 47 – is partially fermented in stainless steel before being transferred into new, one and two year old French oak barriques. Malo-lactic is avoided. It is matured on yeast lees for around six months prior to blending and bottling.
Importer: Indigo Wine Group, FL; tel: (941) 483 1816
robert_parker
2003
Rating:
90
–90
Tasted at the ‘One Family Tasting’ at the Imagination Gallery. This has very fine lift on the nose: lime cordial, nettle, dandelion and dried flowers, very succinct and well defined. The palate is a slightly oxidative entry, nicely balanced, the fruit taking a back seat to more tertiary flavours at the moment, but very good length. This is an absorbing, almost enigmatic Semillon, but it will blossom (in time.) Not showing its true character at the moment. Drink 2015-2030. Tasted May 2010.
robert_parker
2003
Rating:
90
–90
Showing quite a lot of CO2 and bottled under a half cork / half screw cap, the 2003 Vat 1 Semillon opens to slight yeasty and nutty aromas with a little wet wool and tons of primary citrus character too. A little SO2 influence on the palate, it is crisp, tart and very tight through the long, slightly smoky finish.
robert_parker
2002
Rating:
94
–94
Tasted at the ‘One Family Tasting’ at the Imagination Gallery. This is much more floral and generous on the nose than the Vat 1 ’03 with scents of Braeburn apple, pear, a touch of lime and wild nettle. Good definition and nice lift. The palate is waxy on the entry, very well balanced with very fine acidity. Wonderful cohesion here, very pure Semillon with light honeyed tones towards the ethereal finish. Superb. Drink 2012-2025+ Tasted May 2010.
robert_parker
2002
Rating:
93
–93
While consumers are waiting for the 2009 Vat 1 to be released (not to mention approachable), the 2002 Vat 1 (their last vintage under cork) is beginning to come into its drinking window now: Intense, complex nose with notes of beeswax, earth, chalk, lime cordial, lemon curd, peach juice with a tropical / soursop juice edge and a compelling whiff of aromatics. Crisp, great concentration with a light bodied palate. Very minerally, very long in the finish. Drink now to 2020.
A pioneer of the Hunter Valley, today Tyrrell’s still sets the benchmark for this region, producing Semillons, Chardonnays and Shirazes that are amongst the best if not the finest in the Hunter when their vineyards and the vintage align. Since selling their entry level Long Flat label, focus at Tyrrell’s has returned to producing middle range to premium wines and the increased emphasis on quality is evident in their recent releases. While the Semillons have always been a forte and the Vat 47 Chardonnay one of Australia’s finest, it’s the Shirazes for me that are displaying the most marked improvement, displaying wonderful purity and intensity.
Importer: Indigo Wine Group, FL; tel: (941) 483-1816
robert_parker
1999
Rating:
92
–92
Tasted at the ‘One Family Tasting’ at the Imagination Gallery. Another very striking bouquet from Tyrrells with melted candle wax, melted butter, lime leaf and yellow flowers on the nose. Great delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, a little zestier than the 2002, perhaps a touch of more precision though note quite the same level of harmony and focus. Lively though and it has that virtue of completely revivifying the palate and eggs you on for one more sip. Drink 2012-2025+ Tasted May 2010.
robert_parker
1999
Rating:
92
–92
This has a delectable nose of red apple, beeswax, lanolin and tree bark, something very arboreal. The palate is a well-defined entry with notes of bitter apple, lemon and gooseberry; still primal even after eight years of age, which suggests this a 20+ year Hunter Semillon so bunker down in the cellar. Sit and wait. Tasted April 2007.
robert_parker
1999
Rating:
92
–92
All bottled under cork and coming from the highest cropping year ever, the 1999 Vat 1 Semillon is in a very good place – showing good evolution and the associated yeasty, toasty, nutty elements plus notes of brioche, fresh hay and marzipan. On the palate it is complex with tons of flavor packed into a very light body and enlivened by very crisp acid through the very long finish. One small blemish is that the texture is a little watery, though it is still drinking beautifully.
robert_parker
1998
Rating:
93
–93
Tasted at the ‘One Family Tasting’ at the Imagination Gallery. The secondary aromas are starting to pump on all cylinders on the ’98 with dried honey, yellow flowers, acacia and a hint of ginger. Great delineation and so very natural. The palate is well balanced with a taut but light citrus entry, the same harmony exuded by the ’02 with touches of dried honey and lemon curd towards the finish. Superb. Drink now-2025+ Tasted May 2010.
robert_parker
1998
Rating:
93
–93
Bottled under an old fashioned screw cap, the 1998 Vat 1 Semillon offers up a gorgeous nose that is very fragrant with harmonious toasty and nutty notes plus hints of lanolin and beeswax. The palate matches the nose with a gorgeous intensity of fruit enlivened by balanced acid, some interesting texture and a long, very pretty finish.
robert_parker
1998
Rating:
93
–93
1998 Vat 1 Semillon provides moderate to intense aromas of hay, paraffin wax, lemon tart, key lime and toast. Very tart, light bodied and dry, there are plenty of evolved toast and nut flavors in the mouth to match the citrus fruit, giving a long crisp, earthy finish.
robert_parker
1998
Rating:
97
–97
The evolution of glassware across these wines is cool, culminating in the 1998 Vat 1 Semillon, which is bottled in an interesting, slope-shouldered bottle (halfway between claret and Burgundy) made of clear glass. We can see the golden-yellow of the 24-year-old Semillon within it, still glinting pale and bright. On the nose, you get freshly creamed jarrah honey on toast, brine, shells, wet hessian (burlap), petrichor and ozone. The palate follows suit, showing the power and stride of Semillon in full flight. Frankly, it's a thrill and one of the most beautiful wines in the lineup to drink; this is mature and deeply complex, and yet still so fresh.
robert_parker
1997
Rating:
94
–94
Opening with a lovely nose that shows some woody notes, touches of musk, some marmalade and honey-nut, the 1997 Vat 1 Semillon doesn’t offer much texture but gives tons of flavor on the mature palate while remaining fresh, very light and finishing very long. Mature now – in fact at its peak, but should hold for another 8-10 years+
robert_parker
1996
Rating:
88
–88
The 1996 Vat 1 Semillon has a dried Mediterranean herbs and bay leaf character that is quite toasty and accented by preserved lemon notes. The palate is tight and tart with a very light mouthfeel through the long finish. Drink now.
robert_parker
1995
Rating:
93
–93
Produced in a very hot year, the pale straw colored 1995 Vat 1 Semillon continues to have a youthful, still very fruity nose with aromas of baked lemon and apple, toasted almond. The palate offers tons of flavor that is nicely balanced and a little more generous through the harmonious finish. Yum! Still can age…drink now to 2020.
robert_parker
1994
Rating:
90
–90
The 1994 Vat 1 Semillon is going a little gold in color and now revealing a lovely toasty, woody, earthy character with notes of straw and preserved citrus peel. In the mouth it has quite a smoky character with great, mature intensity that holds through a long finish. Drink now.
robert_parker
1993
Rating:
93
–93
Opening to enticing honey and citrus notes intertwined with a woody and earthy background, the 1993 Vat 1 Semillon presents an elegant and complex palate of intense flavor and underlying power. It finishes very long and is at this time drinking in a sweet spot. Drinking now but can cellar to 2020+.
robert_parker
1992
Rating:
89
–89
Going a little brown and revealing Maderized, caramel characters with oxidized and rancio notes, the 1992 Vat 1 Semillon is a bit dried out in the mouth though finishes long. Drink up!
robert_parker
1990
Coming from a very, very, very wet year in the Hunter, the 1990 Vat 1 Semillon is a little brown in color and showing oxidized notes on the nose with faint dried lemon peel and almond whiffs. It is confirmed that this wine is on its last legs when tasted. Dead.
robert_parker
1986
Rating:
95
–95
The 1986 Vat 1 Semillon opens to quite a lot of dried apple and lemon peel, toasted nuts, straw and lanolin on the nose. There’s a lot going on in the mouth with tons of toasty, woody and citrusy flavors at play through the long, lemon--laced finish. Great stuff with wonderful purity and lots of time left! Drink now.
