Tahbilk Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are crafted with a commitment to traditional winemaking values.
Fermentation takes place in original open oak vats (over 155 years old), followed by maturation in similarly aged large French oak barrels prior to being bottled. Smaller French and American oak barrels are also used, with the wine from these blended back during the final filtering and bottling.
In the face of changing winemaking styles and trends, this has remained the way over the years, delivering wines of true provenance and reflective of each vintage.
2020 Shiraz
This Estate Shiraz from the outstanding 2020 vintage sets a high bar for richness and complexity.
Bright and expressive spice and savoury notes swirl deliciously through a deeply flavoured dark plum and berry fruits palate supported by supple, chewy tannins.
Enjoyment now or cellaring out to 2030/2035 are both very satisfying options.
Alister Purbrick | 4th Generation | Winemaker
Don't Just Take Our Word For It ...
"Consistently hits well above its pricepoint, with the kind of flavour boost that is not only inviting, but drinking deliciously well from the get-go. Ripe with plenty of juicy berry aromas, briar, bush mint, pepper, anise, chocolate, sweet oak and baked earth.
Comes together nicely on the palate, everything in its place, with fruit sweetness and depth."
2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
Rated as a year producing 'terrific Reds', notes of mint and cassis, alongside black olive and herb notes, instantly identify this as a Tahbilk Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. A sturdily constructed palate of blackcurrant and dark plum fruits supported by firm but not intrusive tannins complete its identikit picture.
Offering delicious current enjoyment, but with proven cellaring potential which will see additional complexity develop out to 2032/2037.
Alister Purbrick | 4th Generation | Winemaker
Don't Take Our Word For It ...
"The 2020 vintage saw low yields but, on the upside, nicely concentrated fruit.
Reassuringly Tahbilk in style, from the pervasive earthiness and scent of the bush with just a hint of bay leaf, to the medium-bodied, ripe blackberry and spice-laden palate featuring discreet oak.
A touch of black pepper to close gets the tastebuds excited. Good finish."
Jeni Port | www.winecompanion.com.au | May 2023
2023 Marsanne
Enjoy Now to 2028/2030
First planted on the Estate in the 1860’s, Tahbilk has the largest single holding of this unique varietal worldwide including vines dating back to 1927 … among the oldest in the world.
A challenging vintage, that included a 1 in 100-year flood event, has delivered wines of wonderful depth of flavour and character. The intense floral, citrus and tropical fruits of this iconic Marsanne testament to that ... fresh acidity and a clean minerality adding to its appeal.
Further complexity will undoubtedly come with age.
Jeni Port | www.winecompanion.com.au | May 2023
Vintage 2020
There are few Australians who will forget the 2019/2020 summer as bushfires burnt across the Eastern seaboard after a dry winter and spring. Thankfully there were no fires in central Victoria, and although it was smoky at times in Nagambie Lakes, Tahbilk fruit was not affected by smoke taint.
The dry winter and spring had our vineyard staff diligently monitoring soil moisture and irrigating when necessary. January and February saw temperatures fluctuating from blazing hot 40 degrees plus days to very mild 20-degree days.
Initially the very hot days seemed to slow the ripening but, similar to recent vintages, we commenced picking in early February.
The unforgiving season continued through harvest, with tropical storms resulting in weekly rainfall that, whilst irritating to the Vineyard and Winery crews, was not enough to significantly impact yields or initiate disease.
All varieties came in with excellent colour and flavour and 2020 is noted as a vintage of very good whites and terrific reds – not unusual for a dry season
Vintage 2023
At Tahbilk, we like to say that every bottle tells a story, so in that case, the stories behind Vintage 2023 will be some of the most dramatic.
In October 2022, Tahbilk Estate bore the brunt of a 1 in 100-year flood, which affected our vines, impacted yields, and affected us, the Tahbilk team. Our vines have bounced back, thankfully with no long-term damage and minimal, if any attrition. In fact, if you walk around today you couldn’t tell that over half of the vineyard had been under water. As for the team, this challenge will ultimately make us stronger.
Then, as with every season, we were presented with a ‘normal’ set of issues around the weather, adding further to our taxing season. The summer’s heat came quickly, and the ground once full of water was dry again, so we irrigated. Then the rain came, we stopped irrigating and waited for the weather to pass.
It then became cool, the length of the season caught up with us, and not everything ripened so sadly we ended up leaving fruit on the vines … including our iconic 1860 Shiraz!
The yields for the season, albeit low, have produced some very fine wines that embody the demands of this season, wines that we are extremely proud of and proud to share.
So, when you are lucky enough to drink a Tahbilk wine from the 2023 season, think of the season, and think of us.
Jo Nash - General Manager and Winemaker
