Winemakers Selection Vat 47 Chardonnay 2021

Located in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Tyrrell's vineyards stretch across gently rolling hillsides with clay-loam and sandy soils, resting on volcanic subsoil. The Winemakers Selection Vat 47 Chardonnay is sourced primarily from historic parcels surrounding the estate, some of which are among the oldest in the region. The moderately warm climate, tempered by ocean breezes, allows the grapes to ripen gradually, preserving their natural freshness and aromatic finesse while offering a beautiful concentration.

The grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and then pressed as whole bunches before light settling. The must is then transferred directly into oak barrels, mostly French, where alcoholic fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts. Partial malolactic fermentation is generally allowed to preserve freshness. The wine is then aged on its fine lees in barrels, with periodic stirring, to develop texture and complexity, before blending and bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of stone fruit , ripe citrus , and delicate tropical fruit , complemented by floral touches, spicy nuances, and elegant toasty oak. Mineral accents bring tension and precision to the whole. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and textured, supported by a lively and perfectly integrated acidity, with a precise balance between richness and freshness, and a long, saline, and harmonious finish.

Australia began producing wine more than two centuries ago. This has resulted in a country rich in old vines, multigenerational winemaking families, and a deep-rooted knowledge and respect for craftsmanship. Add to this a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude, and a diverse portfolio of 65 wine regions across a wide range of climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine nation. Australia burst onto the export scene in the 1980s and has since been offering the world vibrant, fruity, and exceptionally good-value wines. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the history of Australian wine was dominated by examples of Shiraz, Grenache, and overly concentrated red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diverse range of high-quality Australian wines and regional wines that has always existed. Australian viticulture is concentrated primarily along the southern coastline where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, each centered around major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne, and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the fourth-largest exporter in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines throughout the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.