Although I visit the Hunter Valley every year, I havenÂ’t been to TyrrellÂ’s for many years, quite simply because I usually go on a Sunday and they are closed.
Lucky for me, this time I drove the 160 km from Sydney on a Friday and I was given the chance by the 100% Aussie guy and friendly Richard Earnshaw at the cellar door to taste the top TyrrellÂ’s wines, but I wasnÂ’t quite prepared for this awesome Shiraz.
I tasted many Vat 9s in the past (including the great 1979) but none impressed me as much as this new release.
Grapes picked from the 35 years old vines of the Brokenback and 125 old vines off the AshmanÂ’s vineyards grown on red volcanic clay soil. This Shiraz matured solely in French oak, half of them brand new 2700 litre casks. According to Bruce Tyrrell, it is one of the biggest and intense Vat 9 ever made and you better believe it. It is huge. Alcohol is at 13.5% vol.
Wow, wow and wow! What a wine!
Colour very young, looking inky dense purple. Fresh Ribena aromas on the nose with red berry fruit and peppery spice. The palate is really a beautiful surprise. Thick and massively rich fruit up front with almost creamy Shiraz flavours. YouÂ’ve got to taste it to believe it. It is amazingly concentrated and flavourful. A great promise that will fulfil its destiny in the years to come as one of the best and biggest Vat 9Â’s ever made. This wine is huge and powerful with great body and character. Already showing promise with excellent balance and great complexity. An awesome tasting experience, I was blown away.
It is a truly exhilarating, intense and exciting wine. Available at cellar door only, a ridiculous bargain for less than AU $30.
Everyone should try one fresh and young now for the quite amazing experience. I think itÂ’s simply superb.
Just for the record, I tasted the 2001 Vat 9 Shiraz as well on this occasion and I found a very well made, authentic, medium bodied Hunter red that was very decent but for me certainly lacking the magic of the 2003.
Cheers,
Attila
Tasted: January 2005
