TNR - Tyrrells Vat 9 1998

[JDSJDS]

The 1998 vintage of the Vat 9 Shiraz just arrived in BC ($45).

I did a search, but couldn't find any notes here - any feedback on this wine would be most welcome!

[Adair]

The 1998 vintage of the Vat 9 Shiraz just arrived in BC ($45).

I did a search, but couldn't find any notes here - any feedback on this wine would be most welcome!

I liked it a lot. Excellent vintage... but remember it is from the Hunter and not from South Australia. "Buy it" is my very strong recommendation.

Adair

[Mclaren Vale Lover]

The 1998 vintage of the Vat 9 Shiraz just arrived in BC ($45).

I did a search, but couldn't find any notes here - any feedback on this wine would be most welcome!

I liked it a lot. Excellent vintage... but remember it is from the Hunter and not from South Australia. "Buy it" is my very strong recommendation.

Adair

Very nice wine - the best I have experienced from the hunter. Remeber though it is not from South Australia

[Adair]

...as in, don't expect a big fruit bomb.

Adair

[Gary W]

It is lovely. Typical hunter red berry, spice, walnut, flicker of licorice. No oak. Probably a touch of brett. Fruit tannins. Savoury. Good finish. Very sucessful Vat 9...probably best since 1991. Should be more wines like it. Will take another 4 years bottle age very easily.

GW

[prester john]

Gentlemen, as superb as this wine probably is (and although I have not tired it I have no reason to doubt you because between you, your opinion does carry some gravitas) I would venture to say that the 2000 Maurice O'Shea (and probably the 2000 OP & OH) is yet a substantial step up from that .

This is not in any way a veiled invective toward the Vat 9, simply my humble observation, especially since 2000 was such a superb year in the Hunter.

PJ.

[Adair]

Gentlemen, as superb as this wine probably is (and although I have not tired it I have no reason to doubt you because between you, your opinion does carry some gravitas) I would venture to say that the 2000 Maurice O'Shea (and probably the 2000 OP & OH) is yet a substantial step up from that .

This is not in any way a veiled invective toward the Vat 9, simply my humble observation, especially since 2000 was such a superb year in the Hunter.

PJ.

No. I don't agree with your comments.

Some believe 1998 to be better than 2000 for Hunter reds.

With regard to the specific wines you mention, I don't agree either.

Eg.
JO:
98 Vat 9 - 18.5/20, 94/100 - Drink: 2010-2018
00 O'Shea - 18.3/20, 94/100 - Drink: 2012 - 2020

Kind regards,
Adair

[Gary W]

Yes..thats fine..but he was asking about the 98 Vat 9..not best recent Hunter Shiraz. The Mount Pleasant wines are a very different style. For me it is a big shame they load up the wines with that rather crappy resiny AP John (I think) oak. Such great fruit (in good vintages) and such ordinary oak. Deserves better.

GW

[JDSJDS]

Many thanks for all the comments, I'll definitely grab a bottle or two. No oak, eh? We don't get much Hunter Valley shiraz here, so it will be a nice change from the SA style - not that there's anything wrong with that!!

Thanks again!