-
95
/ 100
Gary Walsh -
97
/ 100
James Halliday
Red
Classification
Shiraz
Variety
2016
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
Australia
Country
New South Wales, Hunter Valley
Region
13.5%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
95 / 100"If I recall correctly, this Vat 9 is two barrels (2700L) of Weinkeller, one of 8 Acres, and one of Contour. Chris T tells me it’s always a temptation to bottle Contour separately, as he reckons it’s the best of their vineyards (it’s on the left hand side as you drive up to the winery, with 4 Acres on the right). Here’s a ‘classic’ Vat 9, and a ‘classic’ Hunter red. In fact, it would be hard to get more ‘classic’. Has a lovely violet and vanilla perfume, a dusting of pepper and spice, dried herb, boysenberry and raspberry, a lick of fine powdery tannin, bright pippy raspberry acidity, subtle earthiness, and a pretty red fruited finish of clean length and precision. So charming. Sometimes you don’t have to try too hard to impress."
- Gary Walsh
97 / 100
"A gleaming chassis of redcurrant, satsuma plum, Chinese herb and the Hunter's signature whiff of creamy leather, are driven by cylinders of high quality French oak (2700l casks, 15 months), gentle acidity and firm tannins of a ferrous sheen, nestled as a whisper behind the fruit, but increasingly apparent as the wine expands in the glass. This tasted even better the second day, auguring for a long, bright future ahead. A mid-weighted wine of pointed precision and savour."
- James Halliday
Tasting Notes
The Vat 9 Shiraz is one of the benchmark wines of the Hunter Valley.
A composite blend of some of the Tyrrell family's oldest and best vineyards, the Vat 9 is the wine that paints the fullest picture of the vintage.
It's aged in large format barrels (2700 litres) which gives a gentle seasoning to the fruit. However, Vat 9 is always first and foremost about fruit quality and showcasing the beauty of Hunter Valley Shiraz.
It is one of the most collected wines in the country. Something for a special occasion now or in several decades time.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
- Smooth
- Complex