Wines Hunter Valley Tyrrell's - Vat 1 Semillon - 2020

Viniou Reviews

Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon 2020 is a remarkable example of this iconic Hunter Valley varietal. Made entirely from Semillon grapes, this cuvée is celebrated for its finesse, freshness, and remarkable ageing potential. The 2020 vintage displays classic Semillon characteristics: a luminous pale straw colour in the glass, with an expressive yet subtle nose featuring notes of lemon, lime zest, and hints of freshly cut hay. On the palate, it is razor-sharp and vibrant, offering an impressive acid backbone balanced by delicate citrus fruit and a suggestion of lanolin. The winemaking at Tyrrell's relies on minimal intervention, thus allowing the purity of the fruit and the character of the terroir to shine through. There is no oak influence, focusing the wine firmly on clarity, length, and minerality.

Hunter Valley, located in New South Wales, is one of Australia’s most prized wine regions and the historical birthplace of Australian Semillon. The region’s warm climate, combined with surprisingly moderate humidity and well-drained sandy and alluvial soils, provides the perfect environment to produce world-class Semillon. This area has a rich winemaking heritage dating back to the early 19th century, and Semillon from Hunter Valley, especially from prestigious estates like Tyrrell’s, is renowned for its ability to develop complex, toasty, honeyed characters with bottle age while retaining striking freshness in its youth.

For food pairing, Hunter Valley Semillon is wonderfully versatile. Its zesty acidity and clean profile make it a perfect match for freshly shucked oysters, sashimi, or pan-seared scallops. It also shines alongside goat’s cheese salads or grilled prawns with a hint of lime. Locally, you might enjoy it with Australian salt and pepper squid or simply prepared barramundi. Its refreshing character and low alcohol complement light and subtly flavoured dishes.

For optimal enjoyment, serve Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon 2020 chilled but not too cold, ideally between 8-10°C. This temperature enhances the wine’s brisk citrus notes and mineral lift while allowing some of its more subtle complexities to emerge in the glass. If cellared, this wine will reward patience, developing added depth and honeyed nuances over the next decade or more.