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

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