The last of parcel of semillon picked from Tyrrell's vineyards, this vintage has a fuller palate than previous vintages owing to a slightly cooler vintage than earlier years. Full fruit intensity and a clean acidity make this a great prospect for the cellar, not to mention drinking now.
Awards and Accolades
94+ Points - Gary Walsh, Wine Front "Cashew cream, struck match, limes, vanilla – all very nice, all very stylish. Medium weight, cool feeling wine gently spiced with oak, and smoothed by cashew cream, with lemon/lime acidity and flinty texture to clean it up. Pretty long with a crisp tang of lime to close. Couple more years should see it really singing. Never decided on the score. One of those 94-95 point numbers, regardless, my recommendation comes with no quibbling."
2011 Vintage: 94 Points - James Halliday, Wine Companion "Gleaming straw-green; while lemongrass and lemon citrus are very much in the frame, there are some honeyed notes starting to develop and encourage a second glass, and a third... But given its alcohol level, one of the strong points of Hunter Valley semillon, that's not as unwise as it might seem at first blush. A lovely mouthfilling style."
The 2012 vintage has been awarded 4 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze medals.
From the Winery
A single vineyard wine from the Elliott family’s vineyard in Belford, which is leased by Tyrrell’s and is located about 10km northwest of the winery. The vineyard is dry grown and was planted in 1933. Being the vineyard that is furthest away from the Brokenback range it has the most broken down soil, which is so fine it is almost like talcum powder.
An almost perfect example of Belford Semillon, this wine has the fuller, richer, almost honeyed palate that is commonly associated with the vineyard. These characters are balanced by a soft, clean acid profile that gives the wine its great length.
A late spring which led into cooler conditions throughout November and early December with good rain. This lead up left us with above average crop levels which ripened well with the long, cool weather conditions in January. Picking began one week later than 2011.
Don't Pay: $35.00
WBW Rating: 95/100
Closure: Stelvin
Region: Hunter Valley, NSW
Winemaker: Bruce Tyrrell
Drink now until: 2024
Alc/Vol: 11.5 %