🍷Wine of the Month – August
2013 Tyrrell's VAT 1 Semillon
Tyrrell's
Tyrrell’s is one of Australia’s oldest family-owned wineries, with a history dating back to 1858. Edward Tyrrell planted the family’s first vines in the Hunter Valley in 1858.
Five generations later, Tyrrell’s remains firmly rooted in the Hunter Valley wine region. The winery is particularly renowned for its Semillon, Shiraz and iconic Vat 1 Semillon.
Vat 1 Semillon was first created by Murray Tyrrell in 1962. Today, it remains one of Australia’s most celebrated examples of age-worthy Hunter Valley Semillon.
The Wine
The 2013 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon comes from two iconic Hunter Valley vineyards. The primary fruit comes from Short Flat, planted in 1923, alongside neighbouring DeBeyers, with both vineyards featuring well-drained sandy soils.
The 2013 vintage was exceptional for Hunter Valley Semillon. Dry conditions produced smaller crops, followed by rain before harvest and ideal drying conditions.
The grapes were handpicked and fermented cool in stainless steel. The wine saw minimal time on yeast lees before being bottled early. It was made without oak to preserve freshness, purity and varietal character. More than a decade of bottle age has allowed this Semillon to develop beautifully.
Tasting Notes
The 2013 Vat 1 shows lifted lime and citrus aromas. The palate is seamless, powerful and concentrated, with a distinctive core of juicy fruit. Its texture and soft acidity provide balance and impressive length.
The 2013 vintage delivers exceptional fruit intensity and persistence across the palate. Its structure gives the wine considerable ageing potential while retaining freshness and elegance.
Tyrrell’s described the wine as a classic in the making. The winery compared its potential with legendary Vat 1 vintages including 2005 and 2009.
Independent reviews also highlighted citrus, wax, anise and green herb characters. The wine was praised for its intensity, balance, purity and remarkable length.
Why It Was Our Pick of the Month
There are few Australian white wines that show bottle age as beautifully as Hunter Valley Semillon. The 2013 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 is a brilliant example of that transformation.
We had the chance to taste this vintage at the Sydney Royal Wine Show, where it immediately caught our attention. At more than a decade old, the wine showed incredible depth while retaining beautiful freshness.
The bright citrus had evolved into toast, wax and savoury characters. There was also a delicious burnt-butter popcorn note that made the wine particularly memorable.
It was a great reminder of how rewarding aged Australian Semillon can be. We chose it because it offers complexity, history and character in every glass.
Food Pairing + Occasion
The VAT 1 would pair well with oysters, prawns, scallops or grilled white fish. For something different, pair it with Asian-inspired dishes featuring ginger, herbs and gentle spice.
This is a bottle for a long lunch or special dinner with wine-loving friends. It deserves time in the glass.
