Tyrrell's Vat 47 Chardonnay has been one of the early benchmarks for quality Australian Chardonnay, and in particular for its ability to age. To put this to a challenging test, I recently tasted two aged Chardonnays from relatively poor Hunter Valley vintages.
The 2012 Tyrrell's Vat 47 Chardonnay is still in good health, but the apple and citrus flavours now taste a little simple. There is still good acidity and great balance in this wine. And the wine finishes long.
Score: 92/++
The 2009 Tyrrell's Vat 47 Chardonnay is the stronger of the two wines. The colour of this wine is still bright. The fruit flavours are complex; apple, passionfruit, some pineapple. The mouthfeel is quite layered. This Chardonnay is still energetic to the finish.
Score: 95/+++
The 2012 Tyrrell's Vat 47 Chardonnay is still in good health, but the apple and citrus flavours now taste a little simple. There is still good acidity and great balance in this wine. And the wine finishes long.
Score: 92/++
The 2009 Tyrrell's Vat 47 Chardonnay is the stronger of the two wines. The colour of this wine is still bright. The fruit flavours are complex; apple, passionfruit, some pineapple. The mouthfeel is quite layered. This Chardonnay is still energetic to the finish.
Score: 95/+++
2 comments:
Interesting comparison Thomas. From memory, wasn't 2012 the first year they really changed stylistically i.e. deliberately went with a leaner fresher profile i.e. what's been en-vogue as of late?
Personally, I'm still a sucker for that more voluptuous classic hunter chardy style...
Interesting comment. I am not sure if the style changed at that point (it certainly has at some point) or was it the vintage. You are certainly right that lean Chardonnay is the favoured style at present.
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