Tyrrells Vat 9 Shiraz 2023
- 97
- $115
- Drink by: 2025-2045
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If I have seen a better Vat 9 than this release, I’m not sure I can recall it. This is a stunning wine. From the estate vineyard, Ashmans, there is also fruit from the Short Flat vineyard, NVC, and the 8 Acres Vineyard. All of the vines are at least fifty years old with the earliest plantings dating back to 1892. Compelling evidence as to just how good this vintage is. Crimson/purple, the nose offers notes of cherries, aniseed, wild raspberries, dry herbs and leather. Silky and elegant, there is immaculate balance with an impressive structure and serious length. The wine is fresh and alluring with silky tannins and the intensity maintained for the full journey. Simply wonderful. A great Vat 9. 20 years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
