Tyrrells Vat 47 Chardonnay 2023

The Wine

First released in 1971, it’s still raising the bar more than 50 years later. Crafted entirely from estate-grown fruit, much of it from old vines on the HVD and Short Flat blocks, it’s fermented and aged in French oak with an emphasis on texture and balance rather than strong oak notes. The result is a full-bodied Chardonnay with both depth and generosity, yet fresh and structured enough to carry it beautifully.

98 Pts Toni Paterson, Halliday Wine Companion 'An established star in the Australian wine landscape, and rightly so, for its purity, complexity and power. Made from hand-picked grapes sourced entirely from the Short Flat vineyard, planted by Murray Tyrrell. The lemony fruit is intense and the palate is beautifully expansive, textural and deeply satisfying, with barely perceptible savoury winemaking details that embellish and enrich the wine without a shred of dominance. The flavours build to an impressive crescendo, finishing with remarkable purity, energy and deliciousness. An outstanding chardonnay – one of Australia's best. Pure class.'

96 Pts Gary Walsh, The Wine Front 'This is going to be a very good Vat 47. I’m sure of that. Gets about 10% new oak. This wine is well represented on wine lists in NSW, and despite having to pay a premium, I often find myself ordering a bottle. A little struck match, green pear and apple, nougat/almond, lime zest, spice. White peach in with light citrus flavour, fine grip, lovely even flow, fine chalky grip, long with a little green olive and lemon peel cinch of bitterness. Such energy here, and it’s tight too. It’s a classic Vat 47, and hence, give it a few years in bottle before drinking. Terrific.'

The Details
Variety - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Hunter Valley
Extra - Screw Cap
Year - 2023
Volume - 750mls

About the Wine Maker

One of the most successful family wineries, a humble operation for the first 110 years of its life that has grown out of all recognition over the past 45 years. Vat 1 Semillon is one of the most dominant wines in the Australian show system and Vat 47 Chardonnay is one of the pacesetters for this variety. Its estate plantings include over 100ha in the Hunter Valley and 26ha in Heathcote. In ’17 Tyrrell’s purchased the 13.5ha Stevens Old Hillside Vineyard on Marrowbone Road; 6.11ha are planted to shiraz, including a 1.1ha block planted in 1867, the balance planted in 1963, notably to shiraz and semillon. There are 11 blocks of vines older than 100 years in the Hunter Valley and the Tyrrell family owns 7 of those blocks. JAMES HALLIDAY