These notes, which also appear in the Tastings section of the site, are grouped together here for easy reference.
Tahbilk 2000 1927 Vines Marsanne (5* $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, somewhere around 2015....
Tahbilk 2009 Cabernet Franc (4* $14.45) Predictably, given the genetic relation to Cab Sauv there are the regulation aromatic Cab notes on the nose. Across the palate it isn't an overly elegant wine, but at this price point elegance usually isn't an option. Still, there's a hint of it lurking there. Aromatic and spicy with varietal character it's got a certain raffish earthy charm. A pleasant little number that I'll be happy to revisit in the appropriate mixed dozen.
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 Marsanne (4.5* $13 Web Special) Pale straw, in transition from previously noted citrus aromas as the honeysuckle comes to the fore through the nose and across the palate. More, please...
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 2006 Riesling (4.5* $n/a) Pale straw in the glass, and from the first sniff there was the familiar petrol notes that you come to expect in quality mature Riesling and the same notes came across when the wine hit the palate. Not, perhaps, in the same bracket as mature examples from premium growers in more highly rated regions, but mature Riesling of this quality at this price point (a notional $12.50 as part of a vertical half-dozen) and this quality underlines extreme value on offer if you know where to look.
Tahbilk 2009 Riesling (4* $n/a) Ticks all the right boxes from the pale straw colour, fresh aromatic citrus notes on the nose through the varietal characters across the palate. Well made, easy drinking style that had me veering between 4 and 4.5 on the rating scale. Eventually rounded down since it's not currently available. Whack it back in the Web Specials section of the Tahbilk web site and Hughesy may well be interested. Very good everyday drinking. Excellent value for money.
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 Roussanne (4* $14.45/$13 Wine Club) Typical flavours I associate with the Rhone white varietals. Though I prefer the Marsanne, this one makes a pleasant change. Refreshing acidity. One to order in the appropriate Wine Club mix.
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 Sauvignon Blanc (3.5* $14.45/$13 Wine Club) Some varietal notes on the nose and in the mouth. Pleasant everyday drinking style, balanced acidity and enough varietal character to pass muster at the price point. Wouldn't buy a case but wouldn't object as part of a mixed case.
Tahbilk 2009 Semillon (3.5/5 $14.45/$13 Wine Club) Herbs, citrus and apples. Pleasant lunch or aperitif style, easy drinking and pleasantly moreish.
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.