Although the 2011 vintage, this sample was a recent release and demonstrates what the wine can do with some bottle age. The fruit derives from own-rooted vines planted in 1923 in alluvial sandy loam, well drained. Grapes are hand harvested at a yield of only about 3 tons per acre, then treated to stainless steel. Only the two best blocks of Tyrrell’s Sémillon make it into this cuvée.
The aromas are stony at first (it needs a little air), its scent of wet clay mingling with green and yellow citrus. Solid acidity forms a framework for sun-drenched yellow tree and tropical fruits, but there’s also a profound sense of green tea and laurel. The wine feels intricate, with glinting facets of fruit and minerals and herbs and tea.
Don’t serve it too cold. It’s a good match for light but nuanced fare: Try oysters, shrimp and prawns, lobster, or squid. Or try eggs or cream-based sauces, vegetable terrines, pâté—the acidity will cut the richness. You need both complexity and intricacy.
11.5% abv | $60 (sample) Imported by Broadbent Selections
