"A gleaming chassis of redcurrant, satsuma plum, Chinese herb and the Hunter's signature whiff of creamy leather, are driven by cylinders of high quality French oak (2700l casks, 15 months), gentle acidity and firm tannins of a ferrous sheen, nestled as a whisper behind the fruit, but increasingly apparent as the wine expands in the glass. This tasted even better the second day, auguring for a long, bright future ahead. A mid-weighted wine of pointed precision and savour." - James Halliday Wine Companion 2019
"If I recall correctly, this Vat 9 is two barrels (2700L) of Weinkeller, one of 8 Acres, and one of Contour. Chris Tyrrell tells me it’s always a temptation to bottle Contour separately, as he reckons it’s the best of their vineyards (it’s on the left hand side as you drive up to the winery, with 4 Acres on the right).
Here’s a ‘classic’ Vat 9, and a ‘classic’ Hunter red. In fact, it would be hard to get more ‘classic’. Has a lovely violet and vanilla perfume, a dusting of pepper and spice, dried herb, boysenberry and raspberry, a lick of fine powdery tannin, bright pippy raspberry acidity, subtle earthiness, and a pretty red fruited finish of clean length and precision. So charming. Sometimes you don’t have to try too hard to impress." - Gary Walsh, Wine Front, June 2017
"Fresh savoury spice and lifted dark fruits on the nose. The palate is medium bodied showing soft dark fruits, subtle oak enhances the mid palate, which is extended by the fine, clean acid structure. An elegant Vat 9 in the same vein of some of the great Hunter River Burgundies of the past. Excellent drinking upon release and will develop in complexity with medium term bottle age." - Tyrrell's
Sustainably-made
