2004 TAHBILK MARSANNE - AHH, HONEY, HONEY

Honeysuckle – tick. Peach stonefruit – tick. Acacia – tick. Has to be Tahbilk Marsanne. Indeed it is. In this case, the 2004 vintage, sealed under natural cork. Nearing a decade from vintage, the wine is approaching its peak, open, textured and ready for business. Gone is the austerity and brisk acidity of youth, replaced by honeysuckle maturity and peachy fruit.

Tahbilk Marsanne mightn’t be the most difficult wine to procure in the world, and it’s certainly not the most expensive. However, it is a dead set Australian classic that merits, should I say, demands, medium term cellaring. It is also a very food friendly wine. In this instance it was paired with Spaghetti alla Carbonara. It would equally be at home with a Sunday roast chicken or some pan fried scallops.

2004 MARSANNE
Producer: Tahbilk
Variety: Marsanne
Vintage: 2004
Region: Nagambie Lakes
ABV: 13.0%
Closure: Natural cork
Retail Price: N/a
Date tasted: 6 March 2013

Tasting Note:
Bright golden yellow. Open and inviting nose of honeysuckle, acacia, rockmelon and peach. Dry, medium bodied, savoury, excellent depth of fruit. Although not overly complex, there is good depth and length of flavour, carried by fine acidity. Yet another enjoyable Tahbilk Marsanne.
Score: 16.5/20