Winemakers Selection Vat 9 Shiraz 2021

Located in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Tyrrell's is one of the pioneers of this historic Australian wine region. The vines for the Winemakers Selection Vat 9 Shiraz come primarily from old vines planted on clay-loam and sandy soils, with a strong influence from the lower Pokolbin Valley. This temperate terroir, characterized by a warm climate moderated by coastal breezes and the surrounding hills, allows the Shiraz grapes to ripen gradually, resulting in balanced, elegant wines with a distinct regional character.

Sourced from old vines in the Hunter Valley, this wine is made from hand-harvested grapes, sorted and destemmed before undergoing traditional fermentation in open vats with regular pump-overs to extract color and structure. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine is pressed and then transferred to barrels for malolactic fermentation and aged in oak barrels, primarily French, to refine the tannins and preserve the elegance of the fruit while imparting a subtle oak complexity.

This wine reveals notes of ripe dark fruits , plum , and blackberry , enhanced by spicy touches of black pepper and licorice , as well as delicate floral accents reminiscent of violet. Oak and cedar nuances from barrel aging add complexity and depth. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet refined, supported by fresh acidity, fine, chalky tannins, and a long, flavorful, and harmonious finish that highlights the classic character of the Hunter Valley.

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.