Shay A

9.4

Last bottles from a 6-pack. I had two bottles that were sadly riddled with EA, but the other four were sound.

This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.

65 semillon/ 34 Sauvignon Blanc/ 1 Muscadelle

Always love these, more so than most domestic Bordeaux Blanc style white wines, mostly because of the texture. Straw color in the glass. Quite the tropical aromatics (white peach, mango) but it’s not overpowering. The barrel ferment is apparent with the rounded profile on the palate…the vein of acidity that was there a few years ago is fading, so this showed even more opulent than normal. Honeyed lemon, guava, orange blossom but a backbone of sea salt and herbs snap the structure in place to show nice balance and a nod to Bordeaux. I’d recommend popping now and over the next couple years to enjoy the freshness. — a month ago

Mark S.

9.1

Lemon yellow with green. chalk mineral herbaceous woody vanilla oak clove. Honeysuckle. Pear peach. Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M Acidity M+ Bitterness M+ Body M Finish M Fresh Dry Elegancy and Excellently Balanced I am wondering how it changed for years. 13.5% Domaine de Chevalier Pessac Leognan Semillon sauvignon Blend 21 @31500, AD, 260226 — 4 months ago

Audrey Irvine

10

Sipped at lunch with Zondwa and Lindo Mandela at The Nines restaurant in Capetown South Africa — 6 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

One of the best Semillon! — 6 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.1

A beautiful blend that somehow shows each element while being nicely integrated. Rich, round, Semillon and bright, floral and citrusy Sauvignon Blanc. Highly age-worthy — 9 months ago

Pooneet K

9.1

Didn’t love on day 1 - the oak is still quite present. On day 3, different entirely. Definitely get some good tropicality on the nose. Semillon gives a great mouthfeel and the oak while still there is in the background. Quite juicy and tasty. — 4 years ago

Jeffrey Woo

8.9

Light lemon-hued. Aromas of apple, bell pepper, citrus, and cream. Medium-light body with medium-plus acidity. Creamy mouthfeel on the palate with a light, bright finish. 70% Semillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. — 4 years ago

Frei Thomas

9.3

Vintage 2018. Wunderbarer Wein. 90% Chenin Blanc, 10% Semillon. Lagerbar bis 2040. — 5 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

vintage 2021 | 65 sauvignon 35 semillon | Refinement, very precise, lemon (no sauvignon domination) | paired with ray wing | at Bitterpeeën in Antwerpen — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

“Ygrec” is basically a flip of the standard d’Yquem; typically somewhere around 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. Traditionally, this dry version has only made in select vintages and the vines for Ygrec are selected prior to harvest and vary from vintage to vintage, typically before nobel rot takes place.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2018 pours a bright straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing powerful notes of grapefruit, orange, Juicy Fruit, some varnish, fine subtle baking spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. An exciting Bordeaux Blanc that sizzles with energy and class. Absolutely baller stuff. Drink now through 2038. — 3 months ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Brilliant sunshot yellow with bright lemon custard cream notes… 11% abv silky smoothen round weightless palate of lemon curd, honey, and lanolin. Rich, round, and woolly. God, I love aged Hunter Valley Semillon. All smiles for a Sunshine Coast Italian lunch. G’day from 85 degree Australia. — 5 months ago

J Ferrugia

9.2

A beautiful expression of a late harvest Semillon dessert wine.. in the French style. Luc Morlet is a master! — 7 months 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. — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of 96% Sauv Blanc with 4% Sauv Gris adding an interesting dynamic to the wine & distinctive aromas (prior to ‘18 vintage some Semillon added). Pale lemon color, citrus, tropical & floral aromas. On the palate peach, melon, herb & earthy tones, well balanced with acidity, smooth yet robust on a long finish ending rich with wet stone character. Good value! A Fav!! Very consistent! — 4 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

I’d almost forgotten I had this lying in a forgotten corner of the cellar. It’s a blend of 35% Semillon 28% Roussanne, 16% Chardonnay 15% Chenin Blanc 6% Clairette. It’s delicious and has lots of character. Deep greenish gold color is striking. I love the nose: lanolin, pear, candle wax, a wee bit of honey, crushed rock. Deeply flavored. It’s got the weighty texture of the Semillon and Roussanne components in the fore. Lovely fruit up front transitions into a minerally finish with a nice bitterish note. Pretty decent acids. Love it! — 2 months ago

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. — 5 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.2

Gorgeous domestic semillon from Napa. Try Myriad’s reds they are also excellent — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc with 5% Semillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris, aged 50% new oak. Medium lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits, citrus and blossom with spicy notes. On the palate flavors of peach, pear and pineapple with slight citrus and honeysuckle adding pepper spice. Long finish, balanced acidity, ending with a fruit, oak and chalky mineral spice character. Very good! Will age well! — a year ago

Taavi Davies

9.1

Classic semillon on the nose, but a lovely balanced chalk and dried lemon palate — 4 years ago

Johnno Harris

9.6

Outstanding!! Super tight and focussed. Struck match, flinty and nectarine kernel complexity. Drink now or hold for 3-5 years. Wish it came in magnums! Ripper booze!! — 4 years ago