Established in 1860 the Tahbilk vineyard is not only a family owned winery, but one of Australia’s most breathtaking and historic. Situated in the Nagambie Lakes region of central Victoria, one of the nation's premium viticultural areas, the property comprises some 1,214 hectares of rich river flats. Purchased by the Purbrick family is 1925, Tahbilk is now home to 5 generations of Purbricks.
Some 200 hectares of the property is under vine with varietals including the rare French Rhone Valley whites of Marsanne, Viognier and Roussanne; and the Rhone reds - Shiraz, Grenache & Mourvedre. Also planted are the traditional varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc & Verdelho and new age rising stars Tempranillo and Savignin. Some of the Shiraz vines even date back to the vineyards pre-pheloxera roots. Of the vineyards 100,000 bottle production only about 1 tenth of this escapes Australia, usually a sign of a truly great vineyard (the locals try to keep it to themselves)!
The wines Exel staff have been tasting are:
- Tahbilk 2011 Marsanne
- Tahbilk 2007 Vintage Release Marsanne (I love being able to try two similar, but fundamentally different wines side-by-side.)
- Tahbilk 2010 Shiraz
Clive Holroyd, Database Manager
Tahbilk Marsanne 2011 - One of my favourite French wine regions has long been Cotes du Rhone, so what a joy it was to discover an Australian winery that produces wine that is so similar to that from the Southern Rhone region. I've always claimed (only slightly tongue in cheek) to be a red wine drinker who only drinks white when there is no alternative, so joy upon joy to discover a new white grape and one I liked so much that I'd actually part with my hard earned cash for a bottle.
This wine has a very fresh and crisp floral bouquet with hints of celery and honey. It is as light and crisp to drink as the aroma promised, with sherbet and citrus favours. Its very clean in the mouth with no after-taste.
A lovely light white that would go well with lightly spiced Oriental food. Score: 14/20
Tahbilk Marsanne Museum 2007- Ooooh. This is lovely. Honey, nectar and pear drops on the nose; sharp, crisp and dry in the mouth with just a hint of sweetness on the finish.
A white with enough presence and complexity to stand up to all but the strongest flavours. I suspect this would go brilliantly with Roast Chicken and Yorkshire Pudding, and would also make a nice accompaniment to the Christmas turkey. Score: 18/20
Tahbilk Shiraz 2010 - If I hadn't seen the label I would have expected this to advertise itself as a Syrah rather than a Shiraz because it's right up there with my favourite French reds. There's Brandy, Christmas Spices and dried fruit on the nose, almost a Christmas cake in a glass. Pomegranate and blackberry mingle with the spices in the mouth and the tannins are beautifully balanced giving a delicious full body, but no unpleasant after-taste. I was a bit too eager to try the wine after opening so it felt a little tight, but I made myself leave some to breath and it opened out beautifully. Another addition to my list of favourites. Score: 18/20
Keron Magee, Shop Manager
Marsanne 2011 - Delightfully quaffable wine that entices you in with its plum and apricot aromas. On savouring, I was quite surprised by its dry and short finish. Very nice to drink with nibbles on a lovely summer day. Score: 14/20
Marsanne Museum 2007 - What a difference, although it's not strictly 100% Marsanne and with the extra time resting, this one exhibits a different aroma experience of cherry sweetness coupled with a nutty (brazils/hazelnuts) complexity. Would recommend this with a meal rather than on its own perhaps spicy meats ie. chorizo, duck or even a firm blue cheese. Score: 15/20
Shiraz 2010 - I let this one breathe for 15 mins as I was not keen on the initial taste when I opened it - like you say not a thumping Shiraz. On the nose I was able to recognise chocolate and blackcurrants. A really long finish down the throat that lasted for some time afterwards. Tasting it the influence of oaky notes was obvious and deep currant/plum flavours too. I would recommend with strong meat ie. venison and maybe Roquefort cheese. I love a good shiraz but found this to be a little lacking. Score: 13/20
Dianne Younger, Company Administrator
Marsanne 2011 - On opening this wine the sweet aromas of passionfruit certainly hit me. This followed through on the palate where the passionfruit flavours continued. I felt the wine itself was pretty dry - not at all what I'd expected. Nevertheless, a nice white to enjoy during a hot summer. Score: 14/20
Marsanne Museum 2007 - Again, I picked up on the sweet aromas of this wine straight away, but there is a softness of peach on the palate which I think may be down to the slight acidity of this wine, adding to it's complexity. Again a dry white, but one which I think would be at its best enjoyed with food. Score: 15/20
Shiraz 2010 - Colour: Garnet red with a clear rim. Aromas of forest and hedgerow fruits with a slight hint of tobacco. I found this Shiraz heavy going with its dry, spicy rioja style (perhaps because I've been drinking lighter reds over the last couple of months). Maybe as we move in to the winter months I will find my appetite for these heavier styles that stick to your tongue again, but I'm not ready just yet to face the winter months. Score: 14/20
