Tahbilk Marsanne ...
One of the world’s rarest grape varieties with its origins in the Northern Rhone and Hermitage regions of France, Tahbilk has some of the oldest vines and largest single holding of Marsanne in the world.
Tahbilk’s history with Marsanne can be traced back to the 1860’s with the sourcing of ‘White Hermitage’ cuttings from the ‘St Huberts’ Vineyard in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. The cuttings were in fact Marsanne but sadly none of these plantings have survived.
The Estate still produces Marsanne from vines established in 1927 – some of the oldest in the world. The fruit is harvested early at high natural acidity
levels. No chemicals are added and the juice becomes fully oxidised. The juice is then settled, pumped off solids and fermented with the resultant wine ‘water’ white, with high acid and no flavour.Once bottled, all the magic then happens over time as it evolves into a wonderful, textural, mineral wine ... it’s a classic ugly duckling to beautiful swan story. By making the wine this way it develops in the bottle slowly and has long term cellaring potential.
Tahbilk Marsanne has a dedicated global following due to its thrilling character and appeal as a young wine with intense lemon, citrus and tropical fruits on a crisp mineral edged finish. It’s proven ability to develop added complexity and character if cellared further adding to its appeal.
