-
96
/ 100
Gary Walsh -
95
/ 100
James Halliday
Red
Classification
Shiraz
Variety
2018
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
Australia
Country
New South Wales, Hunter Valley
Region
13.5%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
96 / 100"Often, in the scurry for the ‘yellow label’ wines, I think people forget quite how good Vat 9 is. This year, it’s a mixed cask of NVC and 8 Acres, with the bulk coming from Weinkeller and Contours (Short Flat). Red and black fruits, sweet liquorice and milk chocolate on the sly, spice and plenty of perfume. Medium-bodied, fresh blackberry, lively, powerful, succulent and smooth, creaminess to the tannin, a chocolate and velour deluxe kind of feel, bright boysenberry acidity, and heaps of length. A very fine Vat 9. One for the ages. Drink 2022-2040+"
- Gary Walsh
95 / 100
"From the oldest and best blocks on the Ashman property, hand-picked and vineyard-sorted, each block vinified separately in open vats, maturation in new and 1yo 2700l French casks until the blend assembled in Dec ‘19, then given a further 5 months before bottling. This is a woven tapestry of black fruits studded with sparks of red. Soars after a challenging bouquet. Drink by 2048."
- James Halliday
Tasting Notes
Vat 9 Shiraz is sourced from the oldest and best blocks on the Tyrrell Estate ‘Ashmans’, where the
oldest vines date back to 1892. The majority of the blend is made from fruit from the Weinkeller and Short Flat vineyards. All of these blocks feature soils that are ideal for growing super-premium Shiraz.
Vibrant purple with an enticing nose showing lifted spice, dark berry aromas, and a subtle hint of oak. The palate is medium-bodied, showing incredible intensity and a seamless structure, with wonderfully balanced fruit, acid, oak, and tannin.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
- Smooth
- Complex