Description
WINE REGION: Nagambie Lakes
FRUIT SOURCE: Tahbilk Estate
GRAPE VARIETY: Marsanne
MATURATION: Stainless Steel
VINTAGE 2022:
The only thing that you can guarantee about the harvest season every year is that there are no guarantees. The season started off slowly, summer was cool and the rainfall was low in the lead up, so the expectation was for a cracking season … mother nature had other plans! A windy spring disrupted the fruit set leading to fewer berries per bunch resulting in yields being well down … as much as 40% with some blocks. Initially we were lulled into thinking that all was going along smoothly. We ticked along at a steady pace, whites progressed nicely, the reds ripening well and then… wham, everything ripened at once and the usual vintage chaos was back. There are always two clear weeks in the winery that will either make you or break you. The first is the white/rosé/red juggle and the second is the red pressa-thon. This is when we empty the fermenters, and pretty much fill them straight back up. It is about finding the balance between the initial cold soak, fermentation time and rate, time on skins post fermentation and then bringing in the next parcel of fruit. And just to make it even more fun, this changes every year. With the low yields and challenges of this harvest there is much anticipation around the final release of our 2022 vintage Estate whites and reds.
ABOUT THE WINE:
Established in 1860, and purchased by the Purbrick family in 1925, Tahbilk is located in the premium central Victorian viticultural region of Nagambie Lakes. One of the world’s rarest grape varieties, with its origins in the Northern Rhone and Hermitage regions of France, Tahbilk’s history with Marsanne can be traced back to the 1860’s when White Hermitage cuttings were sourced from ‘St Huberts’ Vineyard in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. The grape in fact was Marsanne and although none of these original plantings have survived, the Estate has the world’s largest single holding of the varietal and produces Marsanne from vines established in 1927, which are amongst the oldest in the world. 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 with a proven ability to develop added complexity and character if cellared.
TASTING NOTE:
“The low-yielding and challenging 2022 vintage has delivered a true to Estate varietal Marsanne of lifted and intense lemon citrus, spice and pear fruits with a zesty minerality and cleansing acidity. Time in the cellar will undoubtedly bring on a toasty, honeysuckle and orange marmalade richness and complexity. Enjoy now and out to 2030/2032.
