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.

La réputation sur la longévité des Sémillons de la Hunter Valley n’est plus à faire. Les vins commencent à exprimer leurs potentiels au bout de 10 ans et ont une espérance de vie de plus de 30 ans. L’autre volet de la réputation qui n’est plus à faire est l’utilisation de la capsule à vis. Tyrrel’s a fait l’expérience et ses vins seraient tout aussi bons après 30 ans sous vis que sous liège avec en plus aucun problème de TCA. En plus, les vins n’ont pas beaucoup d'alcool, 11,0% en 2015.Parlant du vin le millésime 2015 est d’un beau jaune claire, terriblement jeune. Le nez offre des notes de melon, d'acacia et de miel. Une sensation de rondeur est perceptible. En bouche l’acidité est marquée, les saveurs sont plutôt bizarres avec des fruits passés date et du citron. Un des 1001 vins qu’il faut avoir bu, fait intéressant ce vin s'appelait Vat 1 Hunter River Riesling à sa création en 1962.

Meyer lemon, hint of petrol and beeswax Beautiful bouquet. Crisp acidity.

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.