THE STORY OF TAHBILK

Our Flagship Wines

MARSANNE

One of the world's rarest grape varieties with its origins in the Northern Rhone & Hermitage regions of France, it is grown in only 3 other countries - Australia, America & Switzerland; with Tahbilk having the largest, single holding of the variety 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 the Victoria's Yarra Valley. The grape in fact was Marsanne and although none of these plantings have survived, the Estate still produces Marsanne from plantings dating back to 1927 - some of the oldest in the world.

Tahbilk Marsanne has a dedicated worldwide following due to its marvellous character and complexity and ability to team wonderfully with food at all stages of development.

When young the nose and palate exhibit intense aroma's and flavours of lemon, peach and tropical fruits with a dry mineral raciness; whilst with bottle age these will complex and develop into the familiar honeysuckle fragrance and character traditionally associated with Marsanne. Marsanne, one of the world's rarest grape varieties - a wine with it's roots in France but its heart in the Nagambie Lakes Region of central Victoria.

Tahbilk Marsanne has a long & distinguished Wine Show pedigree with 11 Trophies, 60 Gold, 76 Silver and 217 Bronze Medals awarded.

1927 VINES MARSANNE

These unique and limited release wines are produced from the Estate 1927 Marsanne plantings - some of the oldest in the world.

Picked early and made with a higher natural acidity level to support serious long term ageing, these releases show their best and are only made available once mature - time is definitely a winemaking building block here.

Commencing with the inaugural Trophy & Gold Medal winning 1998 vintage, they offer all the character and richness expected from an older Marsanne - honeyed,honeysuckle, orange marmalade and toasty notes - but with an edge of complexity that sets them apart.

Fittingly an original Tahbilk label dating back to the 1870's has been adapted for these unique wines.

'1927 Vines' Marsanne releases won't necessarily happen every year, they may not be released as consecutive vintages but when released they will be something special!

"No one I know can produce a bottled wine from their cupboard with this wine's pedigree, flavour & clarity. Honeyed, yet still minerally and long. Drinkable and more so" Ben Canaider

VIOGNIER

The third of Tahbilk's trio of Rhone whites (along with Marsanne & Roussanne) and perhaps the most alluring in character.

Originating in Condrieu in the Northern Rhone Valley, Tahbilk's first planting's of Viognier occurred in 1990 with the first vintage released in 1996.

Tahbilk has achieved early success with the varietal and was nominated by Australian Vignerons magazine in 2004 as producing one of the "Benchmark" Australian Viognier releases. Recognition has also come on the Australian Wine Show Circuit as well with Tahbilk Viognier awarded in total since the inaugural 2000 vintage, 1 Trophy, 11 Gold, 15 Silver & 52 Bronze Medals.

Like its Rhone sisters, Tahbilk Viognier is un-wooded allowing its exotic floral and citrus fruits to shine and is considered by the winemakers to be best appreciated as a youthful and exuberant wine.

"This northern Rhone variety is rapidly becoming Australia's most fashionable white and because it can be difficult to grow, it's often expensive. Tahbilk has got it right at an appealing price point. A rich, full wine with characteristic citrus blossom and apricot bouquet - it is a great effort" (Colin Climo)

"Viognier has to be more accessible - price and taste wise - and tuning into the grape's floral side such as with the Tahbilk Viognier, is what will help the variety take off if it is to become the next big thing." (Jeni Port)

1860 VINES SHIRAZ

Tahbilk's '1860 Vines' Shiraz is produced from a 1/2 hectare un-grafted, pre-phylloxera original Estate planting - amongst the oldest Shiraz vines in the world.
After careful handpicking, fermentation takes place in century old oak vats followed by maturation in French oak for 18 months prior to bottling and then a further 4 years "bottle-aging" before release. Appropriately an original Tahbilk label dating back to the 1870's has been tailored for this rare and unique wine.

Since its inaugural release in 1979 this piece of liquid history has become one of the most sought after and collectable wines throughout the world.

Tahbilk '1860 Vines' Shiraz are listed as "Excellent" in Australian wine auctioneers - Langtons Australian Fine Wine Guide - the noted reference to Australia's secondary wine market - being a "high performing wine of exquisite quality".

Also, in 2002 U.S. Wine & Spirits Magazine 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. The vineyards selected were those where the terroir - the French term that roughly translates to the total environment of a place, including soil, climate, aspect, vine and even history - "is most clearly perceptible in the wine". Based on their own tastings, along with recommendations from world-wide industry experts, Wine & Spirits noted that "for all their flavour and richness . . . there is nothing blunt about them (1860 Vines Shiraz) . . . they share a transparency that lets the soil show through".

The same publication also listed '1860 Vines' Shiraz as one of the "Best Wines of the Year" in its 2005 annual international "Buying Guide".

ERIC STEVENS PURBRICK - A FORMIDABLE GENTLEMAN

The Cambridge educated Eric Stevens Purbrick first set foot on Tahbilk in 1925 and was winemaker for more than 40 vintages between 1931 and 1978. He passed the winemaking mantle to his grandson, Alister Purbrick, after the 1978 vintage but remained a strong influence in the direction of Tahbilk until his passing in 1991.

He was one of the early pioneers of varietal labelling in Australia but perhaps his greatest contribution to Tahbilk was to create the Special Bin Cabernet Sauvignon in 1952 which was to be made, and continues to be made, from the best vats of that vintage. Later a Shiraz was added to the range and both wines became known as "Reserve" in 1985.

In recognition of his contribution to the Australian Wine Industry in general and Tahbilk in particular, from the 2002 vintage release these wines now carry his name and signature ....... 'Eric Stevens Purbrick'.

(Look under ABOUT US - History, for more detail on the life and impact of Eric Stevens Purbrick)

'ERIC STEVENS PURBRICK' CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Tahbilk 'Eric Stevens Purbrick' Cabernet Sauvignon is selected from the most outstanding casks produced by the Estate from a particular vintage. Originally released in 1952 as "Special Bin", and then from 1985 as "Reserve", an original Tahbilk label from the late 1800's has been adapted for these stunning wines.

Eric Stevens Purbrick Cabernet Sauvignon is produced employing Tahbilk's traditional red winemaking approach and they enjoy an enviable reputation amongst wine connoisseurs and show judges around the world.

"These releases are amongst the most unique wines in this country - wines that will live and be enjoyed for many years" (Len Evans)

Fittingly the inaugural 'Eric Stevens Purbrick' 2002 release received a Gold Medal in its class and was then awarded the A&G Engineering Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon Open Classes 33 and 38 - the reputation continues to grow!

'ERIC STEVENS PURBRICK' SHIRAZ

As with the 'Eric Stevens Purbrick' Cabernet Sauvignon, only the most outstanding fruit from a vintage will make its way into these releases.

Prudent hand picking is followed by traditional Tahbilk red winemaking techniques with fermentation taking place in 100 year old plus open oak vats followed by maturation in French oak prior to bottling and then further cellaring prior to release.

An original 1870's Tahbilk label has also been adapted for these extraordinary wines commencing with the inaugural 1994 "Reserve" vintage and now the 2002 'Eric Stevens Purbrick' release.

Australian wine auctioneers - Langtons - describe the Tahbilk 'Eric Stevens Purbrick' (nee 1933 Vines/Reserve) Shiraz as being a "Dark horse wine with superb class. Incredibly strong regional provenance and made for long term cellaring" and list it as an "Emerging Wine" - wines with an up and coming profile, considered to have unique properties - both tangible and intangible - that carry a high perception of quality.

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