Tyrrell's Sémillon Vat 1

The beginning of Dr Pete (Polar) Old Australian Wine Tasting. Quite pale Lemon in colour. Not giving a lot on the nose for 16 year old wine. Developing waxy lanolin notes with citric acid. Still with a good future before developing those toast and honey notes of mature Hunter Semillon. Thanks Jim.

Crazy-bright citrus white that everyone in our blind tasting confused with a young SauvBlanc. Difference after discussion: there’s no grassy component. There might only one HV Semillon in Dallas (TotalWine). Very much worth seeking out.

The first of 2 Australian Icons from late last Century - 1999 ;) Crystal clear mid Lemon verging on pale Gold. Aromas of Lemon Bees Wax and Lanolin with a hint of honey - all the hallmarks of aged Hunter Valley Semillon. Better than the 2000 vintage of the same wine had recently. I have one left from a dozen bought on release. Will leave for at least 3 to 5 years - into its 3rd decade.

Pale to mid Gold in colour. On opening an oxidative Sherry like smell which thankfully blew off. An example of an old white that needed decanting. After a few minutes a lovely lemon minerality wet sand bouquet. On the palate delicious lemony honeyed notes which had developed from the hay and lanolin of its youth. The thing about Hunter Valley Semillon is when it is young with its mouth searing acidity fermented in stainless steel it’s almost undrinkable but after 10 years it puts on weight and becomes this lovely honeyed creation. Skilled MWs in London when they were coming to grips with the style would swear there was Oak influence when there was none. Aged HV Semillon is one of the worlds great wines - an 18 year old Vat 1 is right up there. An excellent match with 12 fresh Coffin Bay (SA) Oysters on Good Friday. Only 11.2% Alcohol.

Can tell this is a very good quality wine...personally though, too many hay, grassy and lees aromas for my liking.

At birthday lunch last November. Aged Hunter Valley Semillon is always special. At 15 years of age when we drank it it was just developing honey and toast characters. Unique.

Mid Gold in colour. Notes of Lanolin Wet Hay and Beeswax. Full mouthfeel and still with good acid giving this a 5 year future - maybe more. A brilliant old Hunter Valley Semillon.

Quite light with green tinges . Pretty taught on the nose , intense with lemon , lime , almost a struck match note to this . Intense and tight on the palate , touch of beeswax with the lemon and lime notes . High fresh acidity , though with enough body to cover the bones , lovely balance . This is still really young , but very promising . Come back in 10 years , will last well a further 10-15.

Very light lemon green colour. Lovely fresh notes of lemon zest , green grass , spicy lime cordial . On the palate slightly deeper and richer , but still really young with lime zest, grassy notes , and a creamy , waxy character. Long on the palate, with excellent balance and fresh acidity. I would imagine that this is a pretty timeless wine in that it can be drunk at anytime over the next 20-30 years and offer a fantastic experience. All this with only 11.5% alcohol

Light lemon with green reflexes . Yellow fruits , with waxy notes , quite restrained and elegant. Medium bodied on the palate , for those that know, ‘Roses Lime Syrup’ comes to mind , more of the waxy yellow fruit character as well , with quite mineral notes after a while, well balanced and very good length. This is probably at the start of a very long life , will improve over the next 5-10 years and last a further 7-10.