More wines available from Tyrrell's
750ml
Bottle:
$14.40
Rated 93 - Precision and brightness to this chardonnay with sliced cooked-apple, peach and pie-crust aromas and...
Pre-Arrival
Tyrrell's Chardonnay HVD Old Vines 2015
750ml - 1 Bottle
Bottle:
$76.13
Rated 93 - The nose is wonderfully complex here with flint, dried citrus rind, dried green apples, guava peel and...
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Winery
Tyrrell's
Vintage: 2011
The year 2011 was an interesting year for many northern and central European countries, as the weather was more than unpredictable in the spring and summer. However, in most countries, the climatic conditions thankfully settled down in the late summer and fall. The result of this slightly difficult year of weather in France was a set of surprisingly small yields, but overall, these yields were of a higher quality than those harvested in certain previous years. A fantastic set of wines was also made in Italy and Spain, and the Rioja wines - when released - are set to be very good indeed. Austria also had superb year in 2011, with almost fifty percent more grapes being grown and used for their distinctive Gruner Veltliner wines than in the year before. Possibly the European country which had the finest 2011, though, was Portugal, with wineries in the Douro region claiming this year to be one of the best in decades for the production of Port wine, and the bright, young Vinho Verdes wines.
In the New World, the Pacific Northwest saw some of the best weather of 2011, and Washington State and Oregon reportedly had a highly successful year, especially for the cultivation of high quality red wine grapes. Chile and Argentina had a relatively cool year, which certainly helped retain the character of many of their key grape varietals, and should make for some exciting drinking. South Africa had especially good weather for their white wine grape varietals, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and many South African wineries are reporting 2011 as one of their best years in recent memory.
Varietal: Semillon
Semillon grapes are easily recognizable from their pale and golden color, which often takes on a pinkish hue when ripened in hot climates. These grapes produce a wide range of excellent wines, from crisp, dry and citrus flavored still white wines, to more sweeter varieties. Semillon is one of the fine white grape varietals used in the production of Bordeaux white wines, and it is known for having a particular affinity for oak, in which it ages fantastically. At one point, Semillon was wildly popular, and was grown in abundance all over Europe and the New World. It is highly popular with wineries seeking a white wine grape which grows quickly and easily, with a high resistance to disease and the ability to produce high yields.
Country: Australia
Whilst every Australian state has some level of wine production, it is in South Australia and on the island of Tasmania where the finest wines are made to the highest quantities. Here, the scorching Australian sun is a little tamer, and the heat is tempered by brisk oceanic winds, making the climate of these regions ideal for vineyard cultivation. The Tamar Valley on Tasmania has been making waves internationally in recent years, as both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varietals are thriving there and resulting in hugely flavorful wines, which are at once distinctly Australian, yet remain unique and interesting enough to surprise and impress. Elsewhere in the country, the Syrah grape (known locally as Shiraz) reigns supreme, as the long, hot summers allow these grapes to ripen fully and lend their intensely fruit-forward character to the ruby red Australian wines, which have such international appeal.