Description
WINE REGION: Nagambie Lakes
FRUIT SOURCE: Tahbilk Estate
GRAPE VARIETY: Grenache 37% Mourvèdre 30% Shiraz 27%
MATURATION: All varieties spent from 12 to 18 months in a mix of new and older French & American oak.
VINTAGE 2023:
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 will be a vintage of very good whites and terrific reds – not unusual for a dry season.
ABOUT THE WINE:
Established in 1860, Tahbilk is located in the premium central Victorian viticultural region of Nagambie Lakes. Purchased by Reginald Purbrick in 1925, five generations of the Purbrick family have been actively involved in Tahbilk bringing a tradition of pride, hard work and a love of good wine to their unique heritage of being the oldest family owned winery and vineyard in Victoria. Tahbilk can trace its history with the varietals that make up this blend back to 1860 and Estate Shiraz vines that still survive today. In more recent times these elder statesmen plantings have been joined by Grenache and Mourvédre providing the synergistic opportunity to produce an Estate interpretation of the classic French Rhone Valley blending of the three. Critical and consumer acclaim continues to grow for this new member of the Tahbilk Red’s portfolio, along with a glowing Wine Show record.
TASTING NOTE
“This latest in an impressive run of recent vintages Bright and vibrant with savoury and spice notes, the Tahbilk 2020 Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre resonates with fleshy dark berry and plum fruits on the palate alongside hints of mulberry and liquorice. Fine tannins and fresh acidity complete this exciting 2020 release. Immediate enjoyment is a given with further character and complexity on offer if cellared out to 2029/2031.”
