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NEWS
THINKING OUT LOUD - HAYLEY PURBRICK - 2010/08/02
I have just returned from Europe where I was proud to be able to wave the flag for Tahbilk and the Australian First Families of Wine at the London Wine Trade Fair.
Lucky for me I was also allowed to take two weeks off to play as well. So I thought, given this rare event, I’d let you in on a story I had while travelling with friends, which enlightened me to the beauty of Australia and their acceptance of the screw-cap.
While in Florence travelling with friends, we came across some exceptional good fortune. First a Gelato Festival all weekend and second a wine festival for 8 days in Chianti, a well known wine region near Florence which mainly grows Sangiovese, part of Tahbilk’s wonderful Cellar Door red range.
After tucking into our gelato and doing some limited research on the festival we decided we’d make our way, via train, to Castellina in Chianti the next day, a simple plan – or so we thought…….
10.00am Excited, glasses in hand, onto a train heading to ‘Castellina in Chianti’. Too easy, the station name is exactly the same as our intended destination, happy days.
11.30am Arrive. Previous high spirits are a little quashed. No hills.
12.00pm We seem to be in the wrong place, 11km’s downhill from our intended destination. Hmmm a bit of a dilemma.
12.30pm After trying to convince several people in town in broken Italian to drive us to Chianti, no luck. So we have resigned to hitchhiking in the heat. Off we go, thumbs out, hopeful.
1 km - 20 cars - no ride
2 kms - Stop in at a local restaurant for help - no ride
3 kms - 30 more cars - no ride - resigned to walking
1.45pm A car stops! Wow wow wow! (excited) a lift, finally, to Chianti
2.00pm Finally at Castellina in Chianti. Relief soon turns to disappointment, three people, two bikes available. Alas we are yet to have a sip of wine.
2.15pm Happy days, our previous ride offers to take us around for the afternoon (hurrah!). Best afternoon ever. Great company, great wine, buy some wine, enjoy the sunshine.
11.00pm Home, happy, ready to drink our purchase. But wait all Italian wines are under cork and guess what - no cork screw! Lucky it’s 11pm.
I have to say, my venture in Chianti did make me think about Australia’s acceptance of the screw-cap, which is something the Italian’s are just not up for.
All of our mainstream & Cellar Door only reds, including the Italian born Sangiovese – our own "Chianti" - are under screw and we will even see the ‘1860 Vines’ and ‘Eric Stevens Purbrick’ releases under screw cap
before too much longer.
The world is changing, lift your game Italia!
What do you think? Let me know, hpurbrick@tahbilk.com.au
Ciao for now.
Hayley
JAMES HALLIDAY RATES TAHBILK! - 2010/07/30
The tastings have been done.
The ratings are complete.
Congratulations are due!
So read the headline on the email we received from James Halliday advising that Tahbilk was one of only 96 wineries in Australian to be given the top Red 5 Star Winery rating in the just released 2011 edition of his Australian Wine Companion.
One of the world’s leading authorities on Australian wine, his definitive Australian Wine Companion is a "must have" book for all interested Australian wine drinkers.
The nomination of the best wineries of the regions has evolved into a three-level classification. At the very top are the wineries with their names and stars printed in red; these have been generally recognised for having a long track record of excellence and are "truly the best of the best", so you can well imagine how pleased we are to have achieved this accolade from James.
As well as achieving his Red 5 Star Winery rating a number of our current releases were also nominated amongst his best wines for 2011
Tahbilk 2004 ‘1860 Vines’ Shiraz
The wine has gloriously supple texture and structure directed to presenting pure red and black fruit shiraz flavours in the best possible light; has extreme length, and was a clear first preference among the 23 vintages of this wine made to date at the Tahbilk 150th birthday vertical tastings of all its wines.
Rating: 97/100
Tahbilk 2004 ‘Eric Stevens Purbrick’ Shiraz
Showed superbly at the 150th tastings. Great balance and structure, supple and fine dark berry fruits; good oak. Rated top wine between 1960 and 2007.
Rating: 96/100
Tahbilk 2004 ‘Eric Stevens Purbrick’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Some colour development; a complex medium-bodied wine, both bouquet and palate with a mix of blackcurrant, cedar and earth characters; the tannins are truly excellent, giving great mouthfeel. Ranked first of the 33 vintages (back to '56) at the 150th tastings.
Rating: 96/100
Tahbilk 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Still crimson-purple; classic Tahbilk, built to last, the blackcurrant fruit interwoven through firm but balanced tannins, oak in the background; the finish is the strong point of a complete cabernet.
Rating: 95/100
(Copies of the James Halliday 2011 Australian Wine Companion will be available at all good book stores or log onto www.winecompanion.com.au where you can even get an I Phone app!)
TAHBILK 150th ANNIVERSARY PRESS VERTICAL TASTING - 2010/05/28
It is a bit like asking along a group of child psychologists to a gathering to have them critically evaluate your children.
You are proud of them all but will they see what you see? And sure you can criticize their faults but not too sure you want to hear it from someone outside the family!
Still ask we did, as some of Australia’s most noted palates and keen reviewers of all matters vinous gathered at Tahbilk to cast a critical eye over a vertical presentation of our various "children".
This was a once in a lifetime event with a number of the vintages on tasting single bottles only.
All three of our cornerstone varietals were featured both the (far from) standard and (very much so) premium releases of each.
And what did the gathered think?
"Tasting history
Tahbilk revels in its history by making tiny quantities of amazing and appropriately expensive wines from its oldest vineyards.
The 1860 Vines Shiraz – just a few barrels each year – is multi-layered, deeply savoury and redolent of the dusty earth into which the roots have plunged.
The Eric Stevens Purbrick Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon made from vines dating back to the 1930’s and 40’s respectively, are intensely, stunningly elegant.
The 1927 Vines Marsanne, released as a 10 year old, is taut, tight, lemony and built for the long haul. But as great as these wines can be – and as exciting as Tahbilk’s new-wave wines such as Viognier and Tempranillo are –it’s the sheer quality, consistency and, above all, the amazing value of the "standard" Tahbilk Shiraz, Cabernet and Marsanne that blows me away.
There is no reason why every cellar in Australia shouldn’t have a case of each, with the words "drink now or until at least 2025 with great pleasure" written on them."
Max Allen – Australian Gourmet Traveller
"150 years of Tahbilk magic
Over two days and 154wines, through cork taint, crumbling corks, weird bottle stinks and downright ugliness, through moments of fleeting beauty and beauty much more enduring, we learnt a lot.
Above all, we learnt that it is Tahbilk’s standard wines that are not just for today but tomorrow.
Time and again, it was the everyday Joes – the $15 Marsanne, the $19 Shiraz, the $19 Cabernet Sauvignon – that impressed with a simple and lasting integrity.
They were balanced in their youth and remained so throughout their long lives."
Jeni Port The Age Epicure
"Cheers to a landmark
After two days of tastings, I found two main points. I was not surprised that the reserve wines, variously labelled with a Bin number, later Reserve and currently Eric Stevens Purbrick; and the 1860 Vines Shiraz are outstanding drops, at least in recent years.
But what impressed me most was how good the regular Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are and what great value they are at $20 (or less) a bottle.
If longevity and track record – the proven ability to age and improve- are factors in the calculation of quality, Tahbilk passes with flying colours.
These are 20 year to 30 year wines, no problem.
But you can enjoy them upon release, as they are smooth and balanced.
The younger Marsannes impressed as well. I prefer them relatively young, within about 10 years of harvest. There is none better than the current 2009 release, a delicious, flavoursome and character-filled dry white wine.
So raise your glass to Tahbilk, temple to the values of family, heritage and the environment, and in safe hands under the fourth and fifth generations of the inspiring Purbrick family."
Huon Hooke – Sydney Morning Herald.
TAHBILK 150th ANNIVERSARY PRESS VERTICAL TASTING ..........AND THE RESULTS! - 2010/05/28
Following are just some of the wines and vintages stood tall amongst some very exalted company
Tahbilk Marsanne
We commenced the vertical flight with two curios from the 50’s - 1953 & 1959, both past their best but the ’59 still an interesting drink. The 1974 was amazing and still had time to go with the 1982, 1997 & 2002 vintages attracting the most plaudits.
1982 "Bright gold, touch of green, attractive wine honeysuckle & stone-fruit, supple mouthfeel"
James Halliday
2002 "Pale brilliant colour. The nose is spicy floral and with a hint of lime. It is superb"
Ray Jordan
Tahbilk '1927 Vines' Marsanne
Commenced with the first release 1998 vintage, with the currently available 2000 vintage taking top marks in a closely contested field.
2000 "Very pale colour. Light citrus and subtle lime influence. The palate is really a racy acid and very long. It’s so piercingly tight and precise that it will handle years in the cellar. A wine of great potential."
Ray Jordan
2001 "Fresh mineral style. Intense acidity with 10 years plus cellaring potential" Alister Purbrick
Tahbilk Shiraz
Back to 1948 – a single bottle, sadly well gone - but the 1966 was one of the wines of the tasting. The latter 2004 & 2006 vintages were very well regarded.
Ray Jordan
2006 "A deceptively approachable medium-bodied red wine now, with pretty raspberry red fruit and savoury licorice like dryness."
Max Allen
Tahbilk 'Eric Stevens Purbrick' Shiraz
Commenced with a 1960 'Special Bin' as they were known then – 1974 & 2004 a couple of standouts amongst very good company.
1974 "Palate is spicy and scented with a little lavender- a typical lean angular feel to it. There is some sweet fruit working into the equation. Slightly meaty flavours emerge as it breathes."
Ray Jordan
2004 "Bright red purple; an elegant wine, with very good balance and structure thanks to supple and fine dark fruit; good oak handling."
James Halliday
Tahbilk '1860 Vines' Shiraz
A 1981 vintage led this field off. The current 2004 vintage and the yet to be released 2006 were amongst the favourites along with the 1996 back vintage.
1996 "Lovely oak, elegant red fruit & spices, a very attractive wine"
Alister Purbrick
2004 "While only medium bodied, the wine has gloriously supple texture & structure directed to presenting pure red & black fruit Shiraz flavours in the best possible light."
James Halliday
Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon
1956 was the earliest vintage. 1963 & 1971 were the favoured early years along with later releases 2004 & 2006.
1971 "Lovely perfumed bouquet of leaf and red and black fruits obviously showing some distinct secondary development but still with heaps of life. Beautiful palate is pure and precise with a very long finish."
Ray Jordan
2006
"Dark, tight & youthful with a long life ahead."
Max Allen
Tahbilk 'Eric Stevens Purbrick' Cabernet Sauvignon
1956 led off here as well – 1959 'Special Bin' stood out as did 1996 'Reserve' and the current 2004 'Eric Stevens Purbrick'.
1959 "Great wine complex and elegant wonderful current drinking – at best now"
Alister Purbrick
2004 "Lifted perfumed aromas of red fruit and mint with some nice sweet fragrant oak. The palate has delicious red berry & mint flavours with a slightly minerally herbal feel but it's well balanced & pure. Excellent cellaring potential."
Ray Jordan
TAHBILK 150th ANNIVERSARY WIN A VERTICAL '1860 VINES' SHIRAZ MAGNUM DOZEN! - 2009/11/24
We would like to help you celebrate our 150th Anniversary by offering this once in a lifetime prize featuring every vintage of our iconic '1860 Vines' Shiraz from 1994 to the yet to be released 2005 and each in a 1.5 litre Magnum!
Tahbilk '1860 Vines' Shiraz is produced from a 1/2 hectare un-grafted, pre-phylloxera original Estate planting – some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world – and has become one of the worlds most sought after wine collectables.
Listed as Excellent in Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine (the noted guide to Australia’s wine auction market) as being a "high performing wine of exquisite quality", U.S. Wine & Spirits Magazine also nominated the Tahbilk '1860 Vines' plantings as one of the 25 Great Vineyards of the World along with the likes of Hermitage La Chapelle, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Yquem, Vega Sicilia and Krug.
How do you enter?
Every order you make from now until the end of our 150th Anniversary year - whether by mail, phone, fax, over the web site, a regular "PLUS" delivery or directly at Cellar Door - gives you an entry!
One order one entry, order again another entry – too simple really – and you get to enjoy the wines you purchased as well! (See WINES & ORDERS above)
AND
For the chance to win a second "Dozen" just 'Join A Friend' in the Wine Club.
One friend one entry - a dozen friends a dozen entries - and you still receive your 10% reward from each of the purchases they make!
You’ll be entered & rewarded!
(See WINE CLUB - Join A Friend above)
What could be easier!
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to add a simply amazing once-off vertical selection of liquid history '1860 Vines' Magnum releases
to your cellar.
(Tahbilk ‘1860 Vines’ Shiraz Magnum Dozen competition commenced November 25th 2009 & continues until December 31st 2010. Prize will be drawn January 17th 2011. Winners will be notified & results published in April/May Newsletter 2011)
PAST TAHBILK REVIEWS - 2007/05/28
TAHBILK 2009 MARSANNE
"Despite being one of the most loved wines in the country, Marsanne remains an alternative variety in Australia.
Sporting a string of accolades that would make even its closest competitor blush, Tahbilk’s example comes packing smells of green apple, lemon, pear and honeysuckle and plenty of citrus zip and zing.
Try with flathead tails and a green salad."
Matt Skinner - Uncorked
"A long time favourite from the Nagambie Lakes district, the new vintage seems a little shy to begin, white and vinous, but shows its real colours as an interesting, textural wine, minerals mixing with lovely underlying crispness making it a food partner par excellence. Look to crumbed seafood dishes to start with. And put a few away at its price to watch them develop richer honeysuckle flavours over the next few years."
Tony Love - Adelaide Advertiser
"With its 150th anniversary this year, it’s appropriate to celebrate another of this winery’s achievements : Marsanne.
It’s an amazing style – fresh and bright when young yet maturing into a mellow toasty white of great complexity with about seven years of bottle age.
The 2009 is vibrant and tangy with intense, cool, tropical flavours and lingering zesty acidity."
Peter Forrestal Australian Gourmet Wine Traveller
And please do log onto www.fullpour.com for Julian Coldrey’s review of 2009 Marsanne!
To order, see WINES & ORDERS - Tahbilk Whites
TAHBILK 2007 MARSANNE
Gold & Silver Medal Winner
"Clean, fresh and fragrant, mineral, spice and honeysuckle cohabit, leading into a long, crisp finish. No hint of smoke taint or phenolics.
Drink Now-2020 with smoked eel"
James Halliday's Top 100
2007 Marsanne is still available by the bottle or case - see Web Specials under WINES & ORDERS or call us at the Winery - 1300 TAHBILK
TAHBILK 2006 MARSANNE
Trophy, Gold & Silver Medal Winner
"The '06 is fragrant & delicate with floral fruit salady aromas; it tastes dry and grapey with lively acidity. It's a perennial bargain."
Ralph Kyte-Powell - The Age Epicure
"Light straw-green, with aromas of honey, melon & spice, this wine has a long harmonious palate, with a gold-plated guarantee to develop honeysuckle and gentle toast as it ages over the next 10 plus years"
James Halliday's Top 100
"A particularly good vintage for this old favourite, the 06 Tahbilk is wonderfully citrusy and tingly on the tongue, but there seems to be an extra dimension to the honeysuckle perfume.
Great value."
Max Allen - Gourmet Traveller
"When young the nose and palate exhibit completely un-oaked, simple and fresh aromas of lemon, honey and peach.
With about five years of bottle age though, these develop into the very distinctive honeysuckle fragrance traditionally associated with mature Marsanne.
Even at ten years of age, the wine remains remarkably fresh and crisp.
Tahbilk's Marsanne is a regional, and probably national, benchmark white wine."
1001 Wines You Must Try Before You Die
2006 Marsanne is still available by the bottle or case - see WINES & ORDERS Web Specials or call us at the Winery - 1300 TAHBILK
TAHBILK 2005 MARSANNE
Trophy, Gold & Silver Medal Winner
It wasn't only on the Australian Wine Show circuit that this release impressed last year (3 Gold, 2 Silver & 5 Bronze Medals awarded) but it also dazzled a number of wine scribes in the United Kingdom as well!
"Marsanne, one of the three leading Rhone white grapes, has been grown at Tahbilk continuously since 1927 and thrives in the unique, lake-cooled micro-climate and red, iron-rich soil.
See for yourself with the unusual and unexpected sweet summery spice of this tasty, green apple and greengage-layered white."
Jane MacQuitty TOP 100 SUMMER WINES - THE TIMES (London)
"Recommended"
Oz Clarke's Wine Buying Guide 2008
"The 2005 Marsanne has now benefited from a couple of years in the bottle and the wine is pale gold and has an attractively wide range of aromas and flavours - ripe apricots and peaches, ripe apples, something slightly floral, maybe honeysuckle, and just a little bit of honey.
The honey tends to get more pronounced as the wine ages, and this Marsanne does age particularly well.
All this before you even taste the wine! The flavours in the mouth are equally attractive but there's more citrus and quite notable acidity, giving refreshment despite the full body and 13.5% alcohol. It's particularly tangy at the end, with a hint of clementine as well as lemon on the finish.
A very good example of a variety far from its roots but truly at home."
Julia Harding MW - Jancis Robinson's Website
2005 Marsanne can still be purchased at the Winery - call 1300 TAHBILK.
TAHBILK 2003 MARSANNE
Trophy, Gold & Silver Medal Winner
"Think Marsanne in an Aussie context, and consistently the finest producer is Tahbilk.
The '03 has all the wonderful aged complexities that come with this variety, namely honeysuckle and toasty notes, but matched alongside delicious mouth-watering minerality and zingy refreshing lemony notes. Just sings in the mouth."
Jane Faulkner - The Age
"The biggest highlights of the 2007 Alternative Varieties Wine Show were the winners of the trophies for best white and red: the enormously satisfying, complex, toasty 2003 Tahbilk Marsanne and the fabulous deep and savoury 2002 Pizzini Nebbiolo.
These are, simply, great Australian wines."
Max Allen - The Australian
2003 Marsanne is currently available as a 'Museum Release' - see WINES & ORDERS Tahbilk Whites.
TAHBILK 2000 '1927 VINES' MARSANNE
"Australia’s greatest Marsanne?
Marsanne vines that rank amongst the oldest in the world are responsible for this fresh, pure, backward style. Nuances of honeysuckle, cedar, toast, even star anise and pepper, provide great complexity to its zesty lemon core."
WINE100
TAHBILK 2009 VIOGNIER
"Very fresh apricot and rose water aromas and flavours. At the big alcoholic end (14%).
Recommended."
Winewise Magazine - www.winewwise.net.au
"This is fresh, ripe and lemony on the nose with just a suggestion of flowers and exotic fruit, but isn't strikingly Viognier (which is perhaps why I like it).
The palate is full, with a lightly creamy, leesy texture, ripe citrussy fruit and a really fresh, zesty finish."
Joanna Simon www.joannasimon.com
To order, see WINES & ORDERS - Tahbilk Whites
TAHBILK 2006 SHIRAZ
"A veneer of contemporary oak overlaying gleefully old fashioned aromas and flavours.
The nose is mostly savoury and slightly elusive, modulating between bubblegum and baked goods and never settling on either. It’s actually quite hard to describe, and the closest I can come is the smell and taste of blackberries that are, somehow, robbed of their sugar leaving an appealingly plump, yet savoury, fleshiness.
The palate amplifies this impression, a determinedly savoury core of dark berry fruit running its full length. Quite relaxed on entry, a peachy plushness develops towards the middle palate thanks to dense fruit flavours and chocolate-like tannins.
Its medium bodied and friendly, which masks to an extent the honest rusticity of its flavour profile, kind of like a farmer who scrubs up especially well.
A surprisingly long, satisfying finish, filled with residual berry flavour & seductive oak."
Julian Coldrey fullpour.com
You have to love the way Julian writes and yes there is more he said here also including some interesting comments on our new label. See www.fullpour.com.
To order, see WINES & ORDERS - Tahbilk Reds
TAHBILK 2005 SHIRAZ
"Veteran wine lovers invariably find that sampling a red from Tahbilk is like shaking hands with an old friend, a warming and stirring experience.
Such is the case with the ’05 Shiraz, one of the best produced by Tahbilk in ages, a rich and robust wine chock full of ripe blackberry fruit with subtle nuances of chocolate and warm earth. The Cabernet from the same vintage is similarly impressive and both are among the great bargains of Australian wine."
Paddy Kendler –Melbourne Herald Sun
"This red is already a four year old, but is still very youthful. It shows off its Central Victorian upbringing with whiffs of pepper, cake spices and blackberries and has a good warm kick at the end. A wine that loves beef, especially a big steak."
Greg Duncan Powell - Grazia Magazine
To order, see WINES & ORDERS - Web Specials or call the Winery 1300 TAHBILK
TAHBILK 2003 SHIRAZ
Silver Medal Winner
"I've been drinking some older examples of this central Victorian Shiraz of late - had one with an '86 vintage; another with a '92.
What struck me was the pedigree line in all the wines.
Tahbilk Shiraz's blackberry and pepper flavours shine through; there's a nice line of rusticity, too. Grown-up wine"
Ben Canaider - delicious
We still have the 2003 vintage available - call us at the Winery 1300 TAHBILK
TAHBILK 2002 SHIRAZ
"Tahbilk have been around for a while now and always have made wines with structure and longevity.
This is another classic Tahbilk showing its class and sophistication. Deep red/purple in colour, lifted blackberries and plums with cedar oak adding complexity.
It's full-bodied with a smooth texture then it finishes with classic firm tannins. An excellent frame and impressive backbone. It's just starting to drink beautifully. The drying tannins love rich food with loads of protein."
Wine Orbit - New Zealand
We still have stocks of 2002 Shiraz available - call us at the Winery - 1300 TAHBILK.
TAHBILK 2006 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
THE BIG RED WINE BOOK 2010/11
BEST BARGAIN CABERNET SAUVIGNON
"Tahbilk's higher priced reds can be terrific but when the 'regular' release is as good as this – at a fraction of the price – we can’t help but scream, Buy Up!
It tastes of Cabernet, it tastes of the Nagambie Lakes region, and it tastes of Tahbilk – it’s instantly recognisable as all three.
Tahbilk Cabernet has been on a roll of late but this release is fabulous. The Tahbilk Estate is now 150years old – and stronger than ever."
"Purple-black colour and savoury, earthy and berry-fruit nose with touches of chocolate richness also showing on a deep, tightly structured, mid-weight palate with the savouriness of earthy, leathery and herbal flavours coming to the fore again on the beautifully firm, dry and grainy tannic finish.
A wine that’s built to last and with a track record that suggests it should happily see out a decade or more."
Sunday Tasmanian
"The serious stuff: Deep aromas of black fruits with mint chocolate give this central Victorian a rich and rounded feel to begin, fortunately no green notes, with typical dark chocolaty tannins well in play without dominating.
The fun stuff: Not too heavy, and a ripe core of fruit make this into a nifty, well weighted, balanced varietal – choose barbecued lamb chops."
Herald Sun Taste - A Week in Wine …….
"The nose shows as much sweet earth as it does Cabernet cassis and leaf, so one might describe this expression of the grape as “regional”. There’s ample volume and expressiveness here which conspire to deliver a wine one doesn’t tire easily of smelling.
In the mouth, a velvet ride of sweet tannin plushness. On entry, immediate red fruited goodness pushed along by fine, balanced acidity and a twang of orange juice-like sourness. Everything comes together on the middle palate, clean fruit colliding with rich soil and a hint of unexpected minerality.
Texturally, an abundance of ripe tannins provides both firmness and a sense of luxury. The whole is medium bodied, with good balance and an overarching sense of down home drinkability."
Julian Coldrey www.fullpour.com
Believe it or not there was much more Julian said! Log onto his site for the full read.
To order, see WINES & ORDERS - Tahbilk Reds
TAHBILK 2005 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
"Bright garnet colour, the nose fairly reserved before a more open and expressive, mid-weight, tight and youthful palate showing Tahbilk's typical touches of mint on top of deeper dark berry and soy flavours running to a firm, dry tannic finish. Like all of Tahbilk's wines, this will get better with time."
Graeme Phillips - Sunday Tasmanian
"Cigar box & blackberry nose with a hint of mintiness. Straight as a die, traditional Australian full dry palate shows ripe berries, leather & textured drying tannins. A red for all seasons."
Martin Field E-vine
"Cabernet has long been a strength of Tahbilk and the '05 sums up the style with aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, peppermint & subtle oak. The middleweight palate has attractive mouthfeel, fresh berry and minty flavours."
Ralph Kyte-Powell The Age Epicure
"The epitome of a well-structured, well-flavoured, drink-now or drink-later Aussie red wine.
It’s not over the top, but it’s not wimpy either.
It tastes of blackcurrant, earth, cedarwood & eucalypt and, while there’s a lot of savoury appeal here, there’s a hit of smooth sweetness running right through the centre. It is a 100% classic Tahbilk red. The makers – and Australian wine in general – should be very proud of it."
Campbell Mattinson & Gary Walsh
The Big Red Wine Book
"Dark berry fruit bouquet with hints of leather and earth; quite generous and deep-fruited on the palate, fine grained tannins and a very long and even finish."
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2010
To order, see WINES & ORDERS - Web Specials
TAHBILK 2003 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
"This is tradition in a glass. It opens with aromas of blackberries, plum jam, mint, a whiff of aniseed and some earthy notes.
The minty touch continues in the mouth but it's not overwhelming, and a great wall of firm tannins hold it in a vice-like grip.
It's a solidly built wine that should repay long-term cellaring.
Ageing? Yes, two to ten years
Food ideas: Racks of lamb; steak & kidney pie
4 Stars - A very good wine of real style & personality."
The Age Epicure 'Wine Style'
(Contact the Winery 1300 TAHBILK for availability)
TAHBILK 2004 ‘1860 VINES’ SHIRAZ
"The purple-coloured 2004 ‘1860 Vines’ Shiraz sports an alluring bouquet of balsam wood, incense, licorice, plum and blueberry. Already revealing complexity, this layered, elegant Shiraz has plenty of flavour, excellent balance and several years of ageing potential. Drink it from 2013 to 2024."
Dr. Jay S. Miller - US Wine Advocate
"Vintages of a lifetime - 10 Wines you really must try before you die.
This is history, tangible, incorruptible. In 1860, Ned Kelly was in breeches, memories of the Eureka Stockade still pained the colony’s consciousness and Shiraz was planted at the (then Chateau) Tahbilk near Nagambie. Today barely 600 square metres of straggly ancients remain, producing pitiful amounts (about 80 cases) of what can only be regarded as the very essence of Shiraz. Only time defines wines such as this. The 1984 Old Vines is still a classic beauty."
Jeni Port – The Age Epicure
"This is one of the very rare old Shiraz blocks without any younger vines planted in the gaps left by dead vines. While only medium-bodied, the wine has a gloriously supple texture and structure directed to presenting pure red & black fruit Shiraz fruit flavours in the best possible light. 97/100"
James Halliday – Weekend Australian Top 100 Wines
See WINES & ORDERS Tahbilk Reds
TAHBILK 2003 '1860 VINES' SHIRAZ
"The bouquet is shy, with subtle spices and earth, and quite savoury; but the palate has finesse, seamless fruit/tannin harmony and flow. It has concentration and power, but is not showy. Impeccable elegance and balance. 5 Stars."
Gourmet Traveller Wine - 100 Top New Releases
To check availability, call the Winery 1300 TAHBILK
TAHBILK 2002 '1860 VINES' SHIRAZ
Sweden’s leading wine newsletter, About Great Wines Professional Edition, earlier this year ranked Tahbilk 2002 '1860 Vines' Shiraz amongst the world’s Top 100 wines – one of only 7 Australian wines to make this listing.
"The bouquet is deep, rich & full bodied with complex dark fruit, violets, liquorice, wild raspberries, blackberries and barriques. The taste is deep, rich and full bodied with dark& complex yet sturdy fruit, lovely balance, good acidity, great concentration and elements of blackberries, black cherries, dark cherries, wine gums, black pepper, spices, liquorice, salmiac, minerals & barriques.
A deep, rich and full bodied wine from Nagambie Lakes with loads of sensual fruit, good acidity and structure for at least 20 years storage."
And yes, they liked it!
"Living history, this iconic, understated Nagambie Lakes red comes from a block of vines planted in 1860.
It smells of raspberries, old leather, earth and gentle spice, with a touch of cherry syrup. The palate has persistent and fragrant gentle red fruit flavours, finishing with fine, soft tannins and a perfumed aftertaste."
Ralph Kyte-Powell - The Age epicure
(Limited stocks of Tahbilk 2002 '1860 Vines' are still available by the bottle & Magnum. Call us at the Winery - 1300 TAHBILK)
TAHBILK 2003 'ERIC STEVENS PURBRICK' SHIRAZ
"The Estate’s oldest vines are reserved for making Tahbilk’s great '1860 Vines' Shiraz, but reserve bottlings like this are also based on veteran vineyard plots.
It has a bright ruby colour and lovely gentle elegance that grows beautifully in the glass. As different from the big, sweet Australian Shirazes of international fame as you can get, it smells of raspberries, choc-coated prunes, old leather and dusty spice. It’s a medium-bodied style with great presence, length and finesse, finishing soft with a lingering raspberryish aftertaste."
Ralph Kyte-Powell - The Age epicure
"Nutmeg, aniseed, walnut and raspberry to sniff; a lean, savoury, tight and somewhat grippy palate, perhaps needing a bit more time. A very good wine with a big future; you just need protein for those tannins."
Gourmet Traveller Wine - 100 Top New Releases
To order, call the Winery 1300 TAHBILK
TAHBILK 2002 'ERIC STEVENS PURBRICK' SHIRAZ
"The wine opens with an inviting nose of spice, chocolate, blackberries, mint and aniseed. The palate is a complex mix of concentrated Shiraz and integrated French oak, ably supported by lean, sinewy, drying tannins.
If you're looking for a special bottle for dinner, or a wine gift, or one to cellar gracefully for another 10 to 15 years, this is the wine."
Martin Field - E-VINE
"In its style, this is a great wine. It's savoury and earthy and just a little eucalypty, the body of it not at all busty - this is lithe, firm, sexless (in a non-gender specific way) but sexy.
There's good cedary oak on it, but once it's been opened for 20 minutes or so, it (the oak) folds itself in and says goodnight.
Its tannins are mature, fruity and significant.
I'm going to have to break the budget and buy me some of this. Great wine. Drink: 2012-2024."
The Wine Front Top 101 Red Wines 2007
Best Luxury Reds
(Stocks of 2002 'Eric Stevens Purbrick' Shiraz still remain - call us at the Winery - 1300 TAHBILK)
TAHBILK 2002 'ERIC STEVENS PURBRICK' CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Trophy, Gold & Silver Medal Winner
"Outstanding. It's a glorious Cabernet of fineness and complexity. The first hints of bottle age character are appearing, but this is still a very fresh wine with a prodigiously long palate. Superb. Cellar for decades."
WINEWISE Magazine
"For The Cellar
Semi-mature but youthful, smooth and mellowing, this is a delectable drink. Red fruit aromas, ripe and a beautifully modulated wine that's fruit-driven yet complex with abundant fine-grain tannins. Marvelous stuff. Now to 15+ years."
HUON HOOKE - THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
TAHBILK 2001 'RESERVE' CABERNET SAUVIGNON
"After six years, leathery, earthy and reduced meat-stock old-wine complexities are starting to show, with a hint of mint. In the mouth it's medium-bodied, very elegant and smooth, with fleshy texture, moderate alcohol (14%), fruit driven flavours and very supple tannins.
A superb red. Drink now to 15 years."
Huon Hooke The Age Good Weekend
2001 'Reserve' Cabernet Sauvignon is still available by the bottle or case.
Call us at the Winery - 1300 TAHBILK
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