Tyrrell’s HVD Single Vineyard Semillon 2015/16, Hunter Valley

A vintage where the great vineyards showed their class, this release of HVD Semillon shows both power and finesse. Freshness on the nose, complexity on the back palate, and now in its transition stage from primary to secondary flavours. Waxy and honey toast, with good length.

The Tyrrell family’s association with the grape began with Edward Tyrrell in 1858. Today his legacy lives on through the fourth and fifth generation of the family who collectively manage one of Australia’s oldest and most highly regarded wineries. Tyrrell’s has grown over a century and a half to become one of Australia’s most prestigious winemakers. Today the company is managed by fourth generation owner Bruce Tyrrell and his children, John, Chris and Jane. Over the years the family have been instrumental in changing the face of the Australian wine industry. The family’s many successes include introducing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to the Australian wine category, and their ‘Vat 47’ was Australia’s first commercial Chardonnay.

Hand-picked in the early hours of the morning, the fruit was lightly crushed and pressed before a relatively cool fermentation. Then the wine spent minimal time on yeast lees before being bottled early to maintain its freshness. No oak fermentation or maturation.