Tahbilk Shiraz Museum Release 2016 is a deliciously complex, bottle-aged Nagambie Lakes Shiraz with further development potential — light to medium pale ruby in colour, with incredibly classic aged Tahbilk aromas of dried plum, burnt sage bush, and milled sawdust, and a palate of supple and juicy red fruit with lovely white pepper, clove, and nutmeg spice lingering on. Crafted in original open vats over 150 years old and matured in large and small predominantly French oak for 18 months, this is Tahbilk Shiraz at its most elegant, complex, and rewarding. Enjoy now through to 2032–2035. Easily.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Light to medium pale ruby — the colour has lightened beautifully with bottle age, reflecting the classic development of a Tahbilk Shiraz that has been cellaring gracefully under screwcap since 2016.
Aroma
Incredibly classic and unique aged Tahbilk aromas — dried plum, burnt sage bush, and milled sawdust, with the characteristic touch of Tahbilk earth wending its way through the fruit. Lifted violets, spice, and clove in the background, with the complexity that only a decade of bottle age can deliver.
Palate
Supple and juicy red fruit with lovely white pepper, clove, and nutmeg spice lingering on — the tannins have softened and are well integrated, with acidity in check and still a little give remaining. Bold and bright, with wild berry and plum fruits finishing with supple and savoury tannins. Still got plenty of life ahead.
Pairs With
Now: robust meat-based stews, grilled or roast beef, and strong hard cheeses — especially cheddar. With further age: game dishes of roast duck, venison, or kangaroo, and the leanness and delicate flavours of veal. A wine that rewards patience and suits the table at every stage of its development.
Reviews
James Halliday | winecompanion.com.au
“This is one of the most elegant and fresh Shirazs yet produced by Tahbilk, all the right decisions made in the vineyards and winery. A typical touch of Tahbilk earth wends its way through the plum and blackberry fruit of a wine that has long since proved its longevity, more recently protected by its screwcap and with no need for time to allow the tannins to soften.”
John Lewis | Newcastle Herald
“Here’s to a good-value 14.0 per cent alcohol Shiraz that would team well with veal cutlets. It’s purple-tinted crimson and has potpourri scents and juicy plum front-palate flavour. The middle palate shows glacé cherry, licorice and nutty oak and the finish earthy tannins.”
Winestate Magazine
“Firm full flavoured wine with nice ripe dark red fruit characters and oak in the background.”
Andrew Graham | Australian Wine Review
“This is the juiciest Tahbilk Shiraz I’ve had in years — it’s all plump jubey purple fruit, though with a decent dose of Tahbilk earth and complete with light tannins. Quite a departure from the traditionally rustic style but a rather pleasant and jubey red. Tahbilk Shiraz does modern (and with a swish polish).”
Holly Cusworth | Tahbilk Cellar Door Manager — Current Drinking Note
“Incredibly classic and unique aged Tahbilk aromas. Dried plum, burnt sage bush and milled sawdust. The tannins have softened and are well integrated into the palate where you will find supple and juicy red fruit, lovely white pepper, clove and nutmeg spice lingering on. Still got a little bit of give with acidity in check, enjoy over the next 10 years ... easily!”
