Description

PRODUCER:
Established in 1860, Tahbilk is an historic family-owned winery, renowned for its rare aged Marsanne. The estate has the world’s largest single holding of the varietal and produces Marsanne from vines established in 1927, which are among the oldest in the world. Tahbilk is known as ‘tabilk tabilk’ in the language of the Daungwurrung clans, which translates as the ‘place of many waterholes’. It perfectly describes this premium viticultural landscape, which is located in the Nagambie Lakes region of Central Victoria. The estate comprises 1,214 hectares, including a seven mile frontage to the Goulburn River. Environmental sustainability is paramount at Tahbilk and in 2013 they became carbon neutral. In 2016, Tahbilk was awarded ‘Winery of the Year’ by James Halliday.

VINEYARD:
Tahbilk’s vineyards are grouped along the banks of the Goulburn River and an anabranch of it which flows through the estate. The water has a tempering influence on the climate. The vines are grown at approximately 134 metres above sea level on gently undulating and flat terrain. The soils are sandy loam with ferric oxide content, which varies from very fine sand near the anabranch to denser loams on the plains. The grapes come from the single vineyard Madills 1927 block, where the vines planted before 1986 are on ARG rootstocks. They are trained on a single wire trellis with a mixture of head and cordon training, with cane and spur pruning. Tahbilk’s vines are sustainably cultivated; composting and mulching take place, which improves soil health by promoting earthworm activity. Mulching also helps to control weeds and conserves water, reducing vine stress.

WINEMAKING:
The hand-picked grapes were handled semi-oxidatively; controlled amounts of oxygen were allowed, which helped impart secondary flavours and texture to the wine. Fermentation took place with selected neutral and aromatic yeasts at cool temperatures and lasted for 20 days in stainless steel fermenters to enhance the purity of the fruit. Made with naturally high acidity to support serious long-term ageing, it was matured in a bottle for six years.

VINTAGE:
2016 was a condensed vintage, with the warmest growing season on record. A dry winter and spring were interrupted by a significant thunderstorm in January, which hit some of the old vineyards. Warm weather returned soon after, resulting in an early vintage, good to very good in terms of quality and quantity, delivering crisp and delicate white wines.

TASTING NOTE:
Complex aromas of lemon and orange are accompanied by fresh hay overtones. Notes of lemon, grapefruit, toast and classic rich honeysuckle weave through the rich and textured palate, beautifully balanced by a zesty finish.

GRAPES:
Marsanne 100%.