Tahbilk: A Strong Performance On The World's Wine Stage
Tahbilk Wines, from Central Victoria's Nagambie Lakes region, has had a very successful week in international competition, with the announcement of the winners of the UK's International Wine Challenge, publication of Matthew Jukes' sixth annual Top 100 Australian Wines and the Decanter World Wine Awards. The announcement of these awards has taken place during the London International Wine Fair (LIWF), in front of the world's leading wine producers, media and trade.
The International Wine Challenge is one of the world's largest wine competitions attracting 9500 entries from over 41 countries. With a rigorous judging regime, and highly esteemed judges, Tahbilk is delighted to have achieved some great results. The 2007 Tahbilk Marsanne, the current vintage in the UK, was awarded a prestigious Gold Medal, one of only 304 awarded this year. The current vintage 2008 Tahbilk Marsanne and 2004 Tahbilk Shiraz were both awarded Silver Medals and the 2004 Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon, commended.
2009 is the sixth year of leading wine writer Matthew Jukes' compilation of his Top 100 Australian Wines, announced at Australia House, London on Tuesday 12 May. The 2007 Tahbilk Marsanne was included under the Rich & Structured Whites category and recognised as a Landmark Australia wine. Jukes noted that the wine had "..cool melon, lemon balm and green apple notes ... and should really be treated as a Grand Vin ... this wine, in spite of its price, is a living and breathing Australian icon." High praise indeed.
Decanter, one of the world's leading wine publications, also hold their annual World Wine Awards around this time and in 2009, attracted 10,285 entries from 2,240 companies, more than twice the amount when the competition was launched six years ago. This figure also makes the Decanter World Wine Awards the biggest wine competition in the world. With a stringent judging process, organised by regionality and price brackets, and judged by some of the world's leading wine authorities, Tahbilk has also been well rewarded this year. The 2008 Tahbilk Marsanne, 2004 Tahbilk Shiraz and 2004 Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon were all awarded bronze medals; a great achievement given the huge amount of competition!
Established in 1860, Tahbilk is not only Victoria's and one of Australia's oldest wineries but also boasts the world's largest and oldest planting of Marsanne and some of the world's oldest Shiraz vines. The Estate is owned by the Purbrick family who has had 5 generations involved with the company's operations since their purchase of the property in 1925.
Alister Purbrick, CEO and Chief Winemaker of The Tahbilk Group, in the UK for the LIWF and award announcements said, "We are very honoured to be so highly regarded by the international wine community, which is evidenced by these great accolades. These awards are a great compliment to our winemaking and vineyard teams and great achievements to take into our 150th anniversary year in 2010."
Winemakers: Alister Purbrick, Neil Larson & Alan George