Tahbilk 2024 Grenache: A Confident Return to an Old Friend
At Tahbilk, some varietals quietly mature in the background until just the right moment calls them forward. Grenache is one such example—a grape deeply rooted in European tradition, but with a growing following in Australia’s warmer wine regions. After years of contributing character and charm to blends, the 2024 vintage marks its proud return as a single-varietal wine at Tahbilk—elegant, expressive, and with something to say.
Grenache’s origins lie in the southern Rhône Valley, where it forms the foundation of iconic wines such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is valued for its aromatic lift, juicy red fruits, soft tannins and a savoury, herbal complexity that can shift effortlessly between richness and restraint. It’s a varietal that responds particularly well to warmth, sunshine, and low humidity—making it a natural match for the Nagambie Lakes region.
Tahbilk first planted Grenache in 2005, releasing its debut single-varietal bottling in 2007. Over the years it has played an essential supporting role in the Estate’s Grenache Mourvèdre Rosé and Rhône-inspired blends. But it’s only now, with vine maturity and a deeper understanding of its character in this landscape, that Grenache has been welcomed back to centre stage. The 2024 release is proof of the patience and potential required to let a varietal speak for itself.
Lachie from Tahbilk’s Cellar Door team has seen first-hand how guests respond to wines that offer vibrancy and drinkability, without losing complexity. “We’ve always seen the potential in our Grenache vines, but it’s taken time for them to really show their personality,” he says. “With Pinot Noir not loving the warmth of Nagambie Lakes, this Grenache brings that lighter red style people ask for—it’s juicy, spicy, and super drinkable.”
The 2024 vintage was shaped by an early harvest and naturally lower yields, contributing to a wine of concentrated flavour and fine structure. Aromatic red berries and cherry are layered with sweet spice, oregano, and floral notes. There’s a savoury thread running through the palate, which is bright, fresh and medium-bodied. It’s a wine ready to enjoy now, especially with food, but will continue to evolve gracefully through 2029 to 2031.
In many ways, this wine fills an important space in Tahbilk’s portfolio. Pinot Noir struggles to find its footing in Nagambie’s warmer climate and ancient red soils, but Grenache thrives. It offers an appealing alternative for those seeking elegance without the weight of full-bodied Shiraz or Cabernet. Its soft tannins, lifted aromatics and adaptability to a slight chill make it an ideal companion for a wide variety of cuisines and settings.
To mark its return, the 2024 Grenache is available with a special offer—buy five bottles and receive the sixth complimentary. It’s a celebration not just of the wine, but of the patience, foresight and commitment that brought it into being.
Grenache may be centuries old, but at Tahbilk, it feels new again—thoughtful, vibrant and perfectly at home.
