Hunter Valley Distillery is a continuation of the same dry creek bed as the Short Flat Vineyard that produces Vat 1 Semillon. HVD is a proven Semillon vineyard, which consistently yields parcels of fruit that reach the very high standards that are demanded for inclusion in the exalted Vat 1. In 1995, the winemakers decided to keep the HVD Semillon by itself as a separate reserve wine and it went on to become one of the most talked about releases of the last decade. HVD Semillon is rapidly gaining a solid repute as one of Australia's great white wines.
Vines planted in 1908 form the Sign Post Block, completely dry grown and all on original root stock. The property lies between two small creeks that are fed from a spring in the Brokenback range. Soils are light sandy loam going down into coarse river sand. The vines are rarely stressed and their roots are almost continuously in water. Fruit is crushed but not de-stemmed and placed through a Miller airbag press. Juices are centrifuged after pressing and fermented following inoculation by an old strain of Tyrrell's yeast over the course of a fortnight. HVD is winemaking in its purest form, parcels are treated to a short time on gross lees prior to racking, assembling and preparation for bottling. Alcohol 11.0%
Bright straw colour. Floral fruit in youth, an immediate impact of big, soft baked notes on the nose and palate which moves towards deeper biscuit characters with age. The palate is mellow with softer acids than most other Tyrrell Hunter Valley Semillon. A fine match to gourmandise white meats and poultry, truffle recipes or fine cheese.
