Let’s cut to the chase. The 2025 Tyrrell’s Winemaker’s Selection is the best release yet. Not only as a series of wines, but all wines have excelled in either best ever, or incomparable iterations.
2019 Vat 1 Semillon aside, the Vat 47 Chardonnay, Vat 9 Shiraz and Vat 8 Shiraz Cabernet are all from the 2023 vintage, probably the best red vintage in my lifetime and one of the greats for whites. 2019 is an incredible mirror into its year, but also the historical nature of the wine and its ability not only to reflect the vagaries of vintage, but transcend it, making the Vat 1 Semillon unmistakable.
I cannot think of any other producer in Australia who has allowed its traditions and wine style to be so utterly dictated by the nature of the vineyard and its fruit. Fads and fashions come and go and, let’s be honest, Hunter Valley wines aren’t the trendiest wines out there, but they are historic, stylistically unique, affordable (thank heavens!), versatile with food and Australia’s most age worthy dry wines.
Wines that aren’t trendy are invariably better anyway, as the wines have been allowed to make themselves, in accordance with the fruit, and not forced into one direction or another, appeasing the fashionistas of the day. Appeasement is an evil that pervades all facets of life, but in this set of wines, the glories of the vineyard, tradition and its custodian are apparent.
So what makes this release so special, particularly when every Winemaker’s Selection is so special? Firstly, all the wines are open and ready to drink. I have never tasted such a complete Vat 47 Chardonnay upon release, usually requiring 3 to 5 years for all the elements to integrate, especially the oak, The Vat 1 is all purity, and the reds for all their intensity, seem so unforced, without undue weight or concentration. The uniting qualitative factor across the release is their balance and harmonisation. Everything is in its place, nothing is too overt and although some wines have appeared more powerful and structured in other vintages, this release will age for longer and be better than any other.
Open, pure, juicy and generous. Its deep seam of acidity harmonised and integrated, supporting the fruit and not as a feature itself. Honeysuckle, jasmine, lemon and lime, custard, melon, white peach, Jersey butter and mandarin. on the one hand, so many classic Vat 1 features, but on the other, a level of finesse and refinement taking this release to another level. For all its intensity, there’s a softness and gentle cushioned texture caressing, oozing flavour and presence. Decades of ageing potential. Norris at Waters Wine Co
Great wines like Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon are celebrated for their clarity of expression and remarkable intensity – qualities that shine brightly in the ’19 vintage. The mid-palate is beautifully open and generous, showcasing powerful citrus flavours and micro hints of flint, wet river stones, lemon curd and greengages. The true strength of this vintage lies in its refreshing, succulent mid-palate, harmonious balance and ultra-cleansing finish, making it a superb accompaniment to food. It is at the beginning of its evolution, and its refinement and grace set it apart. 97 Points, Halliday Wine Companion
Sourced from old vines planted on ancient sand, the 2019 is tightly bound with vibrant citrus, white stone fruit and apple blossom. Remarkably pure, driven and delicate, it will age into magnificence in the decades to come. 97 Points, Decanter Magazine
Vat 1 Semillon only ever comes from the oldest and best blocks. The vines are all dry grown, on their own roots, and date back to 1923.The 2019 vintage in the Hunter Valley was another high-quality year across all varieties and was a stellar follow up to 2018. Continued dry conditions meant cropping levels were slightly lower than normal however all of the fruit was in perfect condition with intense concentration.All of the fruit was hand-picked on 5 and 6 of February in perfect condition before being lightly pressed. The freerun juice was then fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks. The wine stayed in these tanks until bottling in early July.
The nose shows a lifted floral character with a hint of citrus that is more intense than in recent years. The palate is grand cru-like in the sense that it has great depth and power yet maintains its elegance through the finish, with a softer acid profile giving the wine great balance. A classic Vat 1 with the exceptional length and balance only seen
in great vintages. Tyrrell’s Notes
Tyrrell’s Vat 47 Chardonnay 2023
An iconic wine in the Australian vinous landscape that has in recent years, risen to the challenge of maintaining its greatness and relevance. Established though it may be and the sort of wine drunk by shall we say, mature wine drinker’s, the 2023 Vat 47 nonetheless oozes class, experience and the great site from whence it came. Seductive aromatics of jasmine, grapefruit, melon, mandarin, flint, cashew, white peach and pear. Pure, succulent and juicy, flavours fanning out beautifully across the palate, intensely caressing. More open, with none of the awkwardness I would usually associate with a young Vat 47. Some exotic fruits of green mango, kiwi and fig, keeping things real, for this is the Hunter valley after all. A truly great expression of vineyard, tradition and an unsurpassed level of technical expertise. World class. Norris at Waters Wine Company
An established star in the Australian wine landscape, and rightly so, for its purity, complexity and power. Made from hand-picked grapes sourced entirely from the Short Flat vineyard, planted by Murray Tyrrell. The lemony fruit is intense and the palate is beautifully expansive, textural and deeply satisfying, with barely perceptible savoury winemaking details that embellish and enrich the wine without a shred of dominance. The flavours build to an impressive crescendo, finishing with remarkable purity, energy and deliciousness. An outstanding chardonnay – one of Australia’s best. Pure class. 98 Points, Halliday Wine Companion
Vat 47 Chardonnay comes entirely from our Short Flat Vineyard where the original Chardonnay vines were planted by Murray Tyrrell in 1968. The soil profile in this dry-grown vineyard is unlike that of any of our other vineyards, which gives Vat 47 its unique character. In the lead up to the 2023 vintage, there was an abundance of rain in spring which gave great soil moisture heading into the dry months of December and January. The harvest period was relatively stress-free without any adverse conditions such as rain or heat. This vintage has produced well balanced, complex wines with fruit purity and is considered to be an exceptional Hunter Valley vintage. All of the fruit was handpicked between 27 January and 3 February, which is approximately one week earlier than 2022. The fruit was immediately basket-pressed, then the juice was cold settled for two days before being racked to stainless steel tanks to begin fermentation. The fermenting juice was then transferred to French oak barriques to complete fermentation and maturation before bottling in October 2023.
A strong Vat 47, with the nose showing intense citrus and white stone fruit characters and a hint of oak in the background. The palate is powerful, yet elegant, and the Short Flat Vineyard character shines through. Grapefruit and lemon citrus along with some spice and creaminess. This is then balanced by textural elements derived from the solids ferment and extended time on yeast lees. A Vat 47 of great depth and power, yet still maintaining a lively and fresh finish. Tyrrell’s Notes
Of all the wines in the Tyrrell’s Winemaker’s Selection, the Vat 9 shiraz is the most distinctive and stylistically consistent. Every Vat 9 has classic Hunter River Burgundy hallmarks of florality, high tones, medium weight, complex compote of mixed tangy fruits, a fine line of acid and the Tyrrell’s signature of an angular shape. The 2023 vintage is a great one, and so it shows here. An utterly beguiling aromatic mix of lavender, roses, a compote of red/blue/black/hedge fruits, mint, marjoram and compost. Ferrous, tangy and with enormous intensity, focus and concentration. Gourmand in style, it’s just so refreshing and for all its presence; elegance reigns supreme, the palate infused with savoury sinew power and tension. Minerals and gamey notes, all the elements harmonised and tensioned into an absolute modern classic. From Burgundy, to Barolo and Barbaresco, it’s as if there’s elements of them all and yet this is an absolute Hunter Valley legend in the making. Norris at Waters Wine Company
An outstanding Vat 9, reflecting the strength of the vintage, the component vineyards and the winemaking prowess. Parcels from Short Flat, NVC and 8 Acres vineyards were used, with a minimum vine age of 50 years. It is extraordinarily supple, mouth-filling and moreish, yet still decidedly medium weight. It has incredible flavour concentration, density and gentle succulence. Fine tannins provide appropriate support to the cherry and plum fruit, balanced acidity gives brightness and quality oak introduces a distinct nuttiness. A wine of completeness and harmony, and one to buy and serve with confidence. 97 Points, Halliday Wine Companion
Vat 9 Shiraz is sourced from the best parcels on the Tyrrell Estate, ‘Ashmans’. This Vat 9 blend comprises of Shiraz from our Short Flat, NVC, and 8 Acres Vineyards. These vines have a minimum age of 50 years, with the oldest planted in 1892, and are grown in red clay soils over limestone.In the lead up to the 2023 vintage, there was an abundance of rain in spring which gave great soil moisture heading into the dry months of December and January. The harvest period was relatively stress-free without any adverse conditions such as rain or heat. This vintage has produced well balanced, complex wines with fruit purity and is considered to be an exceptional Hunter Valley vintage.Handpicked and hand sorted in the vineyard in the third week of February, the blocks were all fermented separately in open top vats. The individual wines were then matured in mostly newer French oak casks (2700L) until the Vat 9 blend was assembled in November 2023. The blend was then matured for a further five months before bottling.
One of the most intense colours of the 2023 release; glossy, bright, and dense. Captivating and complex aromatics of dark, sweet fruits; mulberry highlights and spice from the oak. The palate is clean, rich, and velvety; with length and texture that is signature Vat 9. Impeccable balance and approachability yet built for a long life in the cellar. Tyrrell’s Notes
Tyrrell’s Vat 8 Shiraz Cabernet 2023
The outlier in the range, considering that it’s the only blend and a multiregional blend at that, with 35% of the fruit coming from McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s also a genuine blend of styles, not trying to be a Hunter Valley wine, but an emblematic Australian wine, and therein lies its value. It’s not only delicious and beautiful, but an historic statement that wine doesn’t lose it’s value when it’s not just about the site and site expression. Sweeter, darker fruit compared to the Vat 9, with an exotic component courtesy of mulberry and blackberry. Phenomenally complex, with black olive, soy, bitumen, chocolate, lavender and pink peppercorns. There is an extra layer of richness, the tannins thicker and chewier. Obviously this is bigger, much bigger than the Vat 9, but it’s not in any way heavy, and the acidity offers a scaffold of freshness, buttressed by the rich structural tannins. This is a wonderful Vat 8, and I’m salivating at the thought of a massive fat Bistecca, cooked over coals. Most wines, even some of the best just cannot stand up to Bistecca, but the Vat 8 is made for it. Norris at Waters Wine Company
A classic Australian blend with a multi-regional twist: 65/35% Hunter Valley shiraz/McLaren Vale cabernet sauvignon. The wine is powerful and assertive, with a glorious, bright, deep colour. Bursting with ripe mulberries, chocolate, fragrant anise, and spice, displaying a good mix of richness and freshness. Supporting the fleshy palate is a defined frame of plentiful, papery tannins, setting the wine up for a long future. 97 Points, Halliday Wine Companion
The 2023 vintage continues the theme of returning to our historical roots where Vat 8 Shiraz Cabernet as a multiregional blend. The Shiraz is sourced from some of the best parcels on the Tyrrell Estate ‘Ashmans’, with the Cabernet Sauvignon coming from an old vine super-premium McLaren Vale parcel. The 2023 vintage blend is 65% Shiraz and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. After fermentation in stainless steel vats, both parcels were matured separately before blending in November 2023. The blended wine then finished its maturation in French oak barriques until bottling in April 2024.
A modern interpretation of the Great Australian Red that respects the tradition of varietal blending to make a more rounded wine. Dark, dense purple in colour. Creamy, rich softness with the power of intense fruit and tannin. The palate has vintage characteristics of darker fruit sweetness from the Shiraz with complex spice. The Cabernet component adds a blue fruit intensity and varietal cedar character with structural tannins, adding to the overall balance of the wine. Tyrrell’s Notes
