Tahbilk 2000 1927 Vines Marsanne (5* 20 points $45) Almost transparent pale straw colour, but there's nothing pale or insipid about the nose or the flavour of this one. Complex notes of honeysuckle and citrus up front and a long finish mean that in Marsanne terms this is probably about as good as it gets. Still another bottle to go, probably somewhere around 2015....
Tahbilk 2002 Marsanne (4.5* 19 points) Had been lurking in the fridge for a bit over twelve months after a lengthy spell in the Tahbilk cellars and presents a perfect argument for aged Marsanne. Varietal character to burn with the younger lemon/honeysuckle characters rounded and mellowed. Wish I had more than the one bottle. Halliday, incidentally rated it as a 90 when he tried it in 03, ascribing a drink by date of 2012. It'd be interesting to see what he'd say about it now...
Tahbilk 2009 Merlot (4* 14.5 points $14.45) Easy drinking style that doesn't demand attention but slides down easily, well-balanced with some varietal character. Won't be rushing out for more, but if it's included in a mixed dozen.
Tahbilk 2009 Mourvedre (4* 16 points $14.45) Deep red, savoury note with some tobacco notes in there, full on the palate and rather attractive, but didn't impress as much as the 08. When the next box arrives I'll be putting this one aside for a hearty winter stew...
Tahbilk 1997 'Old Block' Cabernet Sauvignon (4.5* $29.95) Savoury nose, developed depth of minty flavours with firm tannins. Great drinking and a very good argument for investing in the Wine Club $160 Cellar Door Reds Dozen, which includes a bottle along with more Everyday drinking options.
Tahbilk 2010 Rose (4* 16.5 points $14.45) Brightly coloured straightforward style that's pleasant enough in summer drinking mode, though I wouldn't be looking towards a dozen, given the other options that are out there.
Tahbilk 2009 Sangiovese (4* 16 points $14.45) Spicy savoury style that I enjoyed mightily. Almost ideal for my favoured Itaian staples and I could well be back for more, assuming it hasn’t sold out in the meantime.
Tahbilk 2009 Tempranillo (4.5* 17.5 points $14.45) Deep, brooding red in the glass, tobacco and leather on the nose with savoury tannins I'd be right in line to reorder if it wasn't sold out, but there should be a bottle in the recently ordered Cellar Door Reds dozen. Memo to self: Watch for the 2011.
Wolf Blass 2004 Gold Label Eden Valley Clare Valley Riesling (4.5* $n/a) The last bottle out of the dozen, saved until the right occasion, and Christmas Day oysters was definitely the right occasion for the lime and citrus characters on offer. Developed Riesling nose, and plenty of length on the palate.
