Thomas Hillskog

9.0

Still fresh and fruity with with typical, complex maturity flavours. — 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

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

9.0

Pale lemon with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with herb notes from young vines. On the palate flavors of lemon and peach with herb and honey notes. Lively acidity, medium+ finish ending with citrus and spice. Nice! — 4 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.0

A safe island during an ongoing shipwreck
Still primary character
Elegant and enjoyable — 6 years ago

Matthew Doty

8.9

2023 vintage via a Costco CA sample-4-pack. Fine, but wouldn’t buy again. Too fruity for me. — 4 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

Ross Bathgate

9.0

Not the best 2000 I have had. Some harsh characters but still with nice fruit, eucalyptus and saddle leather. — 6 months ago

John Malcolm

9.5

An excellent wine. Still fresh and will improve with more time in the cellar. Full-bodied, cassis, blackberries, cherry, cola, and a bit of spice. — 8 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 — 3 years ago

David Menkes

9.5

Oooo…buttery - amazing balance. And can’t beat the price! $15 — 4 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.0

#semillon tart. Interesting #australia #huntervalley — 5 years ago

Scott C

Founder / Co-director SR Wine imports

9.0

Don’t tell me Chile can’t do Pinot ! This is very good . So fresh , long and very good — 6 years ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.4

Clear, medium ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced intensity primary and secondary aromas of black cherries, red plums, raspberries, and dried herbs; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, high tannins, medium alcohol, full body, and pronounced intensity primary and secondary flavors of red currants, cherries, blueberries, black currant, and clay pots with a long finish. This wine is complex and intense. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. — 4 months ago

with Nellie

Ross Bathgate

9.3

Paired with duck and absolutely perfect. So soft with sweet fruit still evident and such soft dusty tannins. Lovely. — 6 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.6

Magnificent! So fragrant and velvety, there is a good reason hunter Shiraz used to be called Burgundy. Fruit still vibrant with lovely tertiary characters. — 6 months ago

Ross Bathgate

9.2

Under screwcap so even at 20 years of age fresh and bright. Opened up over hours. More fruit forward style of this wine not yet showing the characteristics of an old OP with cigar box and saddle leather — 8 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

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.2

Far too young, but really good and promising — 5 years ago

Donna Fauerbach

9.9

Although young you can tell that this is a top scoring wine. Very voluptuous texture with a crazy long finish. Well worth the expensive price tag. — 6 years ago