2023 Tahbilk Marsanne, Nagambie Lakes

With extensive flooding and low yields, it is easy to see the 2023 Nagambie Lakes vintage as problematic. Shut your eyes, open your tastebuds, and there is life here and brightness of fruit and energy. Spring blossoms come to mind, the pure scent of honeysuckle and citrus. It's an early bloomer – or so it appears just before release – immediate and attractive right now (late Dec) in lemon sorbet tang, green apple and quince delivered with an emerging texture. Gotta say, I am enjoying it now, but I know what Tahbilk unwooded marsanne is capable of with bottle ageing. Never to be underestimated.

95 points Special Value Jeni Port winecompanion.com.au

 It wouldn’t be Tahbilk without Marsanne.
There is delicious early flavour development with this latest release, the result of a long growing season. Those flavours are fresh and zesty lemon/lime, pear and guava fruits alongside apple blossom and jasmine aromas. Juicy and taut now with savoury and mineral touches, careful cellaring will realise noted marmalade and honeyed notes.
 
One of the world's rarest grape varieties originating in the Northern Rhone & Hermitage regions of France it is grown in only 3 other countries, Australia, America & Switzerland. Tahbilk holds the largest and oldest single holding of the variety in the world.
 
Tahbilk's history with Marsanne is traced back to the 1860's with the sourcing of 'White Hermitage' cuttings from the 'St Hubert’s' Vineyard in Victoria's Yarra Valley. The grape was Marsanne and although none of these plantings have survived, the Estate still produces Marsanne from plantings dating back to 1927.
 
Tahbilk Marsanne has a dedicated worldwide following due to its marvellous character and complexity and ability to team wonderfully with food at all stages of development. When young the nose and palate exhibit intense aromas and flavours of lemon, peach and tropical fruits with a dry mineral raciness; whilst with bottle age these will complex and develop into the familiar honeysuckle fragrance and character traditionally associated with Marsanne.
 
Lifted floral, citrus and tropical fruits are further enlivened by a bright mineral acidity that refreshes now and will support development of classic honeysuckle and toasty, marmalade characters.