Tahbilk 2009 Shiraz 1860 Vines 750ml

Winemaker's Notes:

Tahbilk's '1860 Vines' Shiraz is produced from a 1/2 hectare un-grafted, pre-phylloxera original Estate planting - amongst the oldest Shiraz vines in the world. After careful handpicking, fermentation takes place in century old oak vats followed by maturation in French oak for 18 months prior to bottling and then a further 4 years "bottle-aging" before release. Appropriately an original Tahbilk label dating back to the 1870's has been tailored for this rare and unique wine.

Since its inaugural release in 1979 this piece of liquid history has become one of the most sought after and collectable wines throughout the world.

Tahbilk '1860 Vines' Shiraz are listed as "Outstanding" in Australian wine auctioneers - Langton's Classification of Australian Wine V - the noted reference to Australia's secondary (auction) wine market - being a "high performing wine of exquisite quality".

In 2002 U.S. Wine & Spirits Magazine nominated the Tahbilk 1860 Vines plantings as one of the 25 Great Vineyards of the World along with the likes of Hermitage La Chapelle, Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Chateau Yquem, Vega Sicilia and Krug. The vineyards selected were those where the terroir ‘is most clearly perceptible in the wine’.

The same publication also listed the 1860 Vines Shiraz as one of the ‘Best Wines of the Year’ in its 2005 Annual International Buying Guide.

Expert Review:

Medium garnet with a hint of purple, the 2009 “1860 Vines” Shiraz displays a medium garnet color and notes of raspberry preserves, baked blackberries, dried mulberries and kirsch with wafts of potpourri, baking spices and orange peel. The palate is showing signs of evolution with its softening into plush, velvety tannins and berry preserves flavors, finishing long and multilayered. Score: 93 points -- Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com #217 Feb 2015