Tyrrell’s HVD Semillon – 2019

The Single Vineyard HVD Semillon is sourced from the ‘Sign Post’ block in our HVD Vineyard, which was planted in 1908. This vineyard is situated between two dry creek beds and features free-draining, sandy soils over coarse river sand.

The 2019 vintage in the Hunter Valley was another high-quality year across all varieties and was a stellar follow up to 2018. Continued dry conditions meant cropping levels were slightly lower than normal however all of the fruit was in perfect condition with intense concentration.

The fruit was lightly pressed before the free-run juice was fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks. The wine spent approximately six weeks on fine lees before being prepared for bottling in July.

Winemaker tasting note

An appealing, intense lemon sherbet aromatic lift. Tightly coiled lemon flavours on the entry that expands across the mid and back palate. A wine of great power that retains a degree of elegance and soft round acid, which is classic HVD. Alc. 10.5%

“The 2023 HVD Semillon is quite distinct from the Stevens style. This is rounder and a little spicier aromatically: as a style, it’s slightly darker, with softer-feeling acidity and a touch rounder. However, do not mistake that for meaning it is low-acid—the numbers between the styles are equitable, and it is the way the wine feels in the mouth that marks the main difference. This is vineyard-derived. There are notes of lemon peel, lemon oil, green apple, beeswax, honeysuckle and clean white beach sand. It’s a beautiful wine, both fleshy and mineral at once. It comes from a single vineyard that was planted in 1908 by the Hunter Valley Distillery, hence HVD. Penfolds then bought it. The Tyrrells bought the vineyard from Penfolds in 1982. 11.6% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.” 94+/100 Wine Advocate