Marsanne

Thank you for this sample bottle Tahbilk

Tahbilk’s Marsanne is one of those iconic Aussie wines for me. I think it’s an amazing wine as it’s around the $15 mark and great either young or aged.

The expectations for this 2022 vintage for cellaring is 2028-2030.

Fun fact: Tahbilk is home to the largest single planting in the world 😮

The pale lemon shade in the glass and the notes of citrus rind, freshly grated ginger, juicy pears and pretty florals enticed me into the glass. In the mouth it’s juicy with crisp acidity and a decent length finish. The nose reflects the flavours on the palate. This vintage did not disappoint 😋

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy!

Lemon in colour. See previous notes. Tahbilk have the oldest Marsanne grapes on earth dating back to 1927. Their best Cuvée of Marsanne is called 1927 and is made from those original plantings - very long lived. This entry level Cuvée is herbal, simple, uncomplicated, and refreshing with plenty of acid. A touch of honeysuckle developing but not as much as there will be with further cellaring. Finishes dry. A good mid week quaffer with potential.

From JH private cellar.
Ripper of an option wine.
Strong acid profile from a cool year.

A little background first. Marsanne is one of the world’s rarest grape varieties originating in the Northern Rhone and Hermitage regions of France. It is grown in only 3 other countries, Australia, USA and Switzerland. Tahbilk holds the largest and oldest single holding of the variety in the world. Located in Central Victoria 120 kilometres north of Melbourne and originally established in 1860. Purchased by the Purbrick Family in 1925 and now run by the 5 th generation of that family. As to the wine itself - Mid Lemon in colour. Nose of citrus, honeysuckle and a touch of mouldy oranges. On the palate medium to full bodied - Marsanne is one of those white varieties that put on weight with age. Verging on unctuous like other Rhone varieties like Roussanne and Viognier. Amazing QPR - I paid $15 for this at Dan Murphys. They have another Marsanne cuvée of vines planted in 1927 which is a bit dearer. I wish I had bought a dozen! Delicious!

White melon, cashews, litchee, little flinty.
Light bodied and rather persistent
Biggest producer of old vines marsanne in the world
Absolutely good for the price

Mid Lemon in colour. A restrained Wine on the palate yet with good intensity if that makes sense. Beguiling. You would swear this was 3 years old not 12 years. Still noticeable acid and mineral and will live for years before it develops its trademark Honeysuckle notes. Has some grapefruit bitterness. One needs to be very patient with Marsanne - such a long living grape for dry Whites like Semillon. Next one in 3 to 5 years.

Waxy kerosene, deep golden, lovely wine

A new vintage of this Aussie classic. Lovely mineral notes show why this can age so well, but still has the trademark stone fruit notes. Will take a bit to get used to the more modern label!

Crazy value. Nose of kerosene, white flowers and ripe lemon and limes. Finish lets it down, but no complaints here. Will drink well for a other six

Tahbilk is Victoria's oldest family owned winery and vineyard. Marsanne was first planted here in the 1860s. Current plantings date back to 1927 and reputedly the oldest in the world. Continuing on with the White Rhone theme - Pale gold at 10 years with a pungent mineral yet sweet honeysuckle nose. Sweet honeyed palate with acid having diminished. Touch of mouldy oranges. Lovely and different.