Tahbilk Marsanne 2008

Nagambie Lakes, Central Victoria, Australia
$18-24, available at BC Liquor Stores & select private liquor stores + 559716
www.tahbilk.com.au

This week was Australia’s official national celebration – Australia Day. January 26 commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788. So it’s only fitting that you toast this special Aussie day with a glass of special Aussie wine. Tahbilk’s history with the rare French-born Marsanne grape stretches back to the 1860’s, when this grape (then called White Hermitage) was planted in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. Though those initial plantings are no longer around, the Estate still produces Marsanne from 1927 plantings – some of the oldest in the world.

In fact, Tahbilk has released a special 1927 Vines Marsanne from time to time – so if you ever see that special label bottle, be sure to snatch it.

This bottling, though more common, is still one to watch for. And what wonderful value for this alluring wine. Lemon, white peach and bright mineral aromas lead to a crisp palate of ripe pear, honeysuckle, lemon, and earthy minerality. Beautiful and elegant balance of herbal earthiness and floral perfume, bright acid and stone fruit, with a lengthy finish. The complexity will build with age – this is a wine you can unscrew the cap on now, or cellar for 5-7 years. Enjoy this with grilled poultry (I’m drawn to quail or pheasant), or white fish like halibut or sablefish.

*Try this and 60 other wines at the Australian Regional Round Up, Friday, January 28th at Vancouver’s Buschlen Mowatt Gallery. The event is hosted by the great team at Wine Australia, and the terrific house wine girls. Event details and tickets here.

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Tahbilk Marsanne 2008

What wonderful value for this alluring wine. Lemon, white peach and bright mineral aromas lead to a crisp palate of ripe pear, honeysuckle, lemon, and earthy minerality. Beautiful and elegant balance of herbal earthiness and floral perfume, bright acid and stone fruit, with a lengthy finish. The complexity will build with age – this is a wine you can unscrew the cap on now, or cellar for 5-7 years. Enjoy this with grilled poultry (I’m drawn to quail or pheasant), or white fish like halibut or sablefish.