Tyrell's Vat 47 Chardonnay 2011

Steve Kubota rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

TYRRELL’S WINES, Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia
2011 VAT 47 CHARDONNAY

I enjoyed tasting wine from Tyrrell’s at an industry tasting promotion showcasing Australia’s First Families of Wine. There is more information on Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW) available at the end of this review.

Established in 1858 by English immigrant Edward Tyrrell, Tyrrell’s Wines is one of Australia’s pre-eminent family owned wine companies with vineyards extending from their historic home in the Hunter Valley to the Limestone Coast (South Australia) and Heathcote (Victoria). With the fifth generation, Chris, Jane and John, involved in the business, Tyrrell’s will continue to remain family owned with the simple philosophy of producing high quality wine that people love to drink.

From the Winery:
Made entirely from grapes grown on the Short Flat vineyards, the vines were grown on alluvial sandy loams. The grapes were handpicked then a portion were basket pressed, before the fermenting juice was transferred to French oak barriques. With the absence of malolactic fermentation, the wine shows its citrus and acid backbone.

My Tasting Notes:
90-92 Points – The 2010 Vat 47 Chardonnay has prominent aromas of lemon and lime notes with underlying nut and oak in the background. There’s a nice core of citrus and mineral flavours and a lengthy finish. There is great acidity but the wine still remains balanced, crisp and dry. Tyrrell’s Vat 47 Chardonnay is pleasing on its own or, you could try pairing briny oysters on the half shell, Asian curries or roasted rack of lamb. This vintage is best from 2017 to 2024.

Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Appellations: Short Flat Vineyards
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.25
Total acid: 7.05 g/L
Sweetness Level: Dry (00)

Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW):
AFFW together represent seventeen wine-growing regions across Australia and forty-eight generations of winemakers. The inaugural twelve-member alliance includes Brown Brothers, Campbells, Taylors, DeBortoli, McWilliam's, Tahbilk, Tyrell's, Yalumba, D'Arenberg, Jim Barry, Howard Park, and Henschke.

The aim of Australia's First Families of Wine is to showcase a representative and diverse range of the best of Australian wine with a focus on regional and iconic drops. The collective is working to engage and educate consumers, retailers, restaurants and the wine industry across the globe about the real character and personality of Australian wine, and about the unique characters and personalities behind it.

The 2011 Tyrrell’s Vat 47 Chardonnay was tasted in May, 2015 in Vancouver, BC.

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Brent Gushowaty rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Eye:
Pale lemon.

Nose:
Leafy, lemon, lean fruit, minerality

Palate:
Closest comparable style might be described as a slightly earthy Chablis but Hunter Valley Chardonnay at its best stands as an original and separate peak in the Chardonnay world. Lean, taut fruit with an intriguing tension of pear/minerality some chalkiness, earthiness, light stone fruit and some toastiness. Perfect balance with a harmonious structure incorporating all its elements.
Excellent chardonnay that owes nothing to the Cote D'or or California.

Value Rating: 90
Date Tasted: May 28, 2015


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Mymi Thesingingsommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Established in 1858 by Edward Tyrrell where a hand built, one-roomed hut stood surrounded by grapevines, the estate is one of Australia’s pre-eminent family owned wine companies with vineyards extending now from their historic home in the Hunter Valley to the Limestone Coast in South Australia and Heathcote in Victoria.
The family motto “nothing is great unless it is good” has been a guiding beacon for more than 150 years. And with the fifth generation, Chris, Jane and John, now involved in the business, Tyrrell’s will continue to remain family owned with the simple philosophy of producing high quality wine that people love to drink.
And by the way, The hut still stands today in the car park of the winery as a monument to Edward’s vision.
This Vat 47 Chardonnay was made entirely from grapes grown on the Short Flat vineyards in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales and all the fruit was handpicked!
In the glass, it is a light silvery yellow with good legs!
On the nose, it vibrates with lime zest, fresh cut lemon, little butter, honey and marshmallows.
On the palate, it is dry, citrusy and buttery! The mouthfeel is creamy, rich and sensual. Great core of acidity!
Excellent Chardonnay!
Try it with a creamy garlicky, cheesy chicken and chive linguini!