2021 Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon

98 pts
One of Australia's greatest white wines and the kind of ageing potential few whites can match.

Price:
Sale price$99.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

This is the benchmark. Vat 1 has long stood as Australia’s most awarded white wine, and for good reason - it’s pure Hunter Semillon, made with restraint, precision, and serious confidence in the vineyard.

The 2019 vintage is already showing its class. There’s bright citrus and lemon peel up front, with the first signs of that classic toasty, nutty development starting to appear. The palate is tight and focused, with a gentle waxy glide and a finish that just keeps going. No oak, no tricks - just low-yielding old vines and time doing what they do best.

Vat 1 is built to age, and it does it better than just about any white in the country. But even now, with a few years under its belt, it’s already offering plenty. A proper Australian icon that’s still made with quiet understatement.

98 points
"Vat 1 is always built for long-term aging, and this is certainly one set to age so well. Aromas of pure lemon juice and peel. The taut, lemon-drenched palate is a thrilling thing to taste now, but is really made for the cellar. Impressive! Drink over the next decade or more."
- Ryan Montgomery (James Suckling)

96 points
"Vat 1 is invariably the pinnacle of Tyrrell’s Semillon releases, and no change here. Floral, vanilla pod, white peach, lime, glossy and ripe but firm acidity, plenty of flavour and so much charm. It’s long. It’s balanced. It’s a beautiful wine of impeccable composition and graceful style."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

98 points - "Vat 1 is always built for long-term aging, and this is certainly one set to age so well. Aromas of pure lemon juice and peel. The taut, lemon-drenched palate is a thrilling thing to taste now, but is really made for the cellar. Impressive! Drink over the next decade or more." - Ryan Montgomery (James Suckling)

96 points - "Vat 1 is invariably the pinnacle of Tyrrell’s Semillon releases, and no change here. Floral, vanilla pod, white peach, lime, glossy and ripe but firm acidity, plenty of flavour and so much charm. It’s long. It’s balanced. It’s a beautiful wine of impeccable composition and graceful style." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

Customer Reviews

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.

All the fruit was handpicked and carefully sorted in the vineyard. After a relatively cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine spent a minimal time on yeast lees before being bottled early to maintain its freshness. No oak fermentation or maturation.

Delicate citrus aromas. The palate has a density and depth of fruit which only comes from special vineyard blocks. This robust fruit profile is balanced by the wines texture and soft acid profile giving it an approachability now, however, will age well into the future.

Alcohol: 11.5%

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type White
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Semillon
Country Australia
Region Hunter Valley
Australian State NSW
Feature High Score
Iconic
Size 11

Tyrrell's

Established in 1858, Tyrrell's, an esteemed family-owned winery, holds a prominent place in Australia's viticultural history. Renowned for exemplary Shiraz, Semillon, and Chardonnay releases, the Tyrrell family safeguards the Hunter Valley's finest and oldest vineyards, upholding a legacy of quality winemaking. Chris Tyrrell, continuing the family tradition, ensures Tyrrell's remains a crucial pillar in the realm of Australian wine.

Embedded in the Hunter Valley's fabric, Tyrrell's, guided by founder Edward Tyrrell, pioneered Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, influencing the iconic Semillon style. Notably, their Vat 1 Semillon, Australia's most-awarded white wine, holds almost 5,500 medals and 330 trophies.

While honoring their heritage, the Tyrrells embrace innovation, staying at the forefront of the dynamic Hunter Valley. Fifth-generation winemaker Chris Tyrrell finds humility in working with his forefathers' vineyards. The family's commitment extends to future generations, evidenced by their participation in Australia's First Families of Wine. Guided by Edward Tyrrell's motto, "Nothing is great unless it is good," the Tyrrell legacy persists, passing the business to successive generations, balancing reverence for the past with a forward-looking perspective.

The Tyrrell family Tyrrell's

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Common Questions

Delivery is free on orders of $199 or more.

For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.

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We stock three different sized gift boxes (single, three bottle and six), all are available for purchase for a flat rate of $8. They look great and make an awesome impression.

To add a gift box to your order, simply add at checkout. The special requests box is your friend, please give us as many details of what you are looking for and we will try our best, or get in contact to discuss it with you. 

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No, all prices are set at the full discounted dozen rate already.

Most wine retailers list at a single-bottle price and then discount 10–15% when you buy six or twelve. We've taken the opposite approach. Since the overwhelming majority of our orders are already 6 bottles or more, our list price is set for the case buyer from the start. There's no inflated single-bottle price to discount down from.

What that means for you:

- One price, same for everyone — no minimum to hit to unlock the best rate
- No mixed-six gymnastics to qualify for a discount
- Our single-bottle price is typically at or below a traditional retailer's by-the-dozen rate

Put simply: the box discount is already baked into the price.

**And if you find it cheaper elsewhere?** Let us know. If the same wine is available at a lower price at another retailer (including at their mixed-six or by-the-dozen rate) we're happy to match it.

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