Tahbilk Eric Stevens Purbrick Shiraz 2002

[Waiters Friend]

Decanted immediately before service. 13.5% alcohol.

A wonderfully complex nose - this is at an interesting stage of development. There is a combination of fresh fruit (blackberry, sweet plums), some herbs and spices (thyme, black pepper, licorice) and developed characters (a hint of leather and polish).

The palate is medium bodied but with noticeable (but fine) tannins and good acid. A reasonably long finish completes a satisfying wine. The spiciness and complexity should go well with the Scotch fillet with cream, brandy and green peppercorn sauce that are about to hit my plate.

Cheers
Allan

[daz]

Decanted immediately before service. 13.5% alcohol.

A wonderfully complex nose - this is at an interesting stage of development. There is a combination of fresh fruit (blackberry, sweet plums), some herbs and spices (thyme, black pepper, licorice) and developed characters (a hint of leather and polish).

The palate is medium bodied but with noticeable (but fine) tannins and good acid. A reasonably long finish completes a satisfying wine. The spiciness and complexity should go well with the Scotch fillet with cream, brandy and green peppercorn sauce that are about to hit my plate.

Cheers
Allan

Don't hit the plate too hard with it! Some rib fillet can be pretty tough.............

[Mahmoud Ali]

Sounds lovely. For a high end wine it is refreshing to hear terms like medium-bodied and acidity in the description. I also note the lower than usual alcohol level - a sign of the times perhaps or maybe it has always been Tahbilk's style.

[Waiters Friend]

Having another look at this wine tonight, and it's fantastic at 14 years old. Almost all of my tasting note from two years ago still applies, with surprising fruit freshness still there. It's now joined by a hint of mint and chocolate, and maybe even less of the leather and polish). Thoroughly delicious and it's a shame I only have one more bottle left.

[via collins]

Is it not the case Allan that Tahbilk have back numbers on pretty well all their wines? A phone call might be in order to prolong the joys!

[rens]

I'm glad you liked it. I had a few two years ago from the mid to late 90's and I found them too porty. The name Parker came to mind. It sounds like that style did not prevail-Hallelujah.

[Waiters Friend]

You're probably right, via Collins (and good to hear from you), but at what price? I wonder what Tahbilk would charge for a six pack of even number vintages from that year (so 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 2010, 2012)? Let's say $300 - I'd buy it - in fact would buy 2. Is anyone from Tahbilk reading this?

Rens, I've had a number of 90s Tahbilks - in fact a lot during the 2000s (mostly standard shiraz and cabernet) with more of the Reserves being experienced this decade. I think the house style (slightly lower alcohol, and modest oak) has been reasonably consistent for a long time, without portiness (you must have seen a BIG vintage) and the antithesis of a Parker wine.

Can somebody pour me another glass of the 2002 Reserve, please?

[Sean]

deleted

[via collins]

Good to hear from you too Allan.

As a sweeping generalisation, I've found the folks at Tahbilk to be as fair as they come - sorted me out with birth-year wines for the girls without breaking into sweat. Prices very fair for what I, or you, are getting too.

Sean has the good oil on that - hope you get another glass, and the way you are raving, I may need to make a call myself!

Cheers, hope to see you sooner than later in town.

[Bobthebuilder]

I just opened one of these tonight, never tried before (purbrick of any vintage)
Wow, what a great wine.
I could sniff this for hours, and not let down one bit on the palate.
Intense flavours, long finish, just lingers and keeps a heavenly smile on my face
The minty notes were a bit strong at first, but balanced out perfectly with an hour or so in the glass
I managed to grab 6 of these at auction for mid 30's, but I'm meant to be buying most them for someone else's cellar I'm stocking (client I built a house for a couple of years ago)
I guess He'll just have to be happy he got any at all!

[Waiters Friend]

Bobthebuilder - good onya if you can get these mid-30s at auction. I'm jealous.

[Waiters Friend]

Following on from the previous thread, I have managed to acquire another 6 of these, and there's a glass in front of me now.

Most of the previous TNs still hold - especially Bobthebuilder's comment about mint, and my comments about herbs, spices, chocolate and licorice. They are now joined by some coffee, and primary fruit has all but disappeared (although some blackberry or blueberry still remains).

It's still in balance, and thoroughly delicious. Possibly at its peak now, but is unlikely to fade quickly.

Cheers
Allan

[Bobthebuilder]

picked a couple up again a few months ago, but also sampled the remaining bottle a month ago.
just passing the peak, the acidity is now falling away fast and its losing its mojo
still a fantastic wine but dont leave it too long to breathe and drink up remaining bottles while they are still drinking nicely
the same vintage ESP in the cab seems to have a bit more life in it

[Waiters Friend]

picked a couple up again a few months ago, but also sampled the remaining bottle a month ago.
just passing the peak, the acidity is now falling away fast and its losing its mojo
still a fantastic wine but dont leave it too long to breathe and drink up remaining bottles while they are still drinking nicely
the same vintage ESP in the cab seems to have a bit more life in it

Hi Bobthebuilder.

I had to open another one on the basis of your comments. Acidity is definitely still present and the mojo is still there. Agree possibly just peaking, but all of the good things I have said about this wine still stand. Drink now perhaps, but still expect a very good wine.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

After some of the "declining" comments, I have tried three more of these over the past few months. Two of these have definitely shown signs of decline, and I was prepared to write off my remaining bottles as "past it". However, tonight's bottle has restore my faith in the wine, and conversely reinforced my lack of faith in cork.

Tonight's wine has all of the hallmarks of my 2014 tasting note. Now, there's blueberries with plum conserve, mocha, cloves, dried thyme and oak plays a very small part. The palate is even better now - richness without heaviness, still fruit driven, supporting tannins and acid, and a very long finish.

I wish the last two bottles had been like this.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

My final bottle, four years after the last one. I'd forgotten all of the 'declining' comments in previous notes, and opened it purely becuae it is 20 years old. Not a bad reason, I suppose. Cork snapped on de-corking, and I had to push about 1/3 of it into the wine. Not an auspicious start.

Still crimson, with little sign of bricking. A whiff of VA on pour, followed by cloves and cedar. Fruit is still present, even prominent - think dark plums and blueberry - but definitely developed and no longer fresh or primary. Cocoa powder and coffee grounds are also present. A complex and fascinating nose that I keep returning to over and over.

The palate is initially mid-weight only, although also showing complexity. A touch of tart red fruits in among the blue, and a lovely velvety texture (with a little molten chocolate). Tannins and acid remain supportive, and the wine builds intensity as it heads towards a long finish.

I'm delighted with this wine, and, as its my last one, I'm glad we're going out on a high.

I wonder how the 2006s are going?

Cheers
Allan

[via collins]

Great to read Allan!

I was puzzled by the comments from B the B as it's very, very rare in my experience to find a Tahbilk red, or white for that matter - that hasn't aged gracefully. I've got some ESPs around the cellar somewhere - you've inspired me to get digging.

I've a 2006 cabernet sauvignon in my sights- the last one I had a few years back was a festival of flavour and complexity. I'm wondering if the final bottle can top that one.

Cheers!

[Waiters Friend]

Great to read Allan!

I was puzzled by the comments from B the B as it's very, very rare in my experience to find a Tahbilk red, or white for that matter - that hasn't aged gracefully. I've got some ESPs around the cellar somewhere - you've inspired me to get digging.

I've a 2006 cabernet sauvignon in my sights- the last one I had a few years back was a festival of flavour and complexity. I'm wondering if the final bottle can top that one.

Cheers!

Good to hear from you, viacollins, and have to agree on the longevity of Tahbilk wines generally.

When you crack that 2006, please post a tasting note. I have bottles of various vintages of ESP and Reserve (pre-ESP) cabernet going back to 1998, and I would love to get some confirmation of our joint opinion on longevity.

Cheers
Allan