It is difficult to talk about the ‘Eric Stevens Purbrick’ reds without talking about the man and the history behind them.
Founded in 1860 by a group of Melbourne businessmen (including John Pinney Bear), by 1925 Tahbilk was solely in the Bear family’s hands. For a number of reasons beyond their control, the fortunes of the Estate at that time were in decline.
Enter my family: great-grandfather Reginald Purbrick purchased Tahbilk from the Bear family with a plan to subdivide into dairy farms. Fortuitously he was convinced by grandfather Eric to continue operating Tahbilk as a winery. Eric was then handed the reins in 1931, a role that continued for over 45 vintages prior to handing the role to myself after the 1978 vintage. Eric remained a strong influence on the direction of Tahbilk until his passing in 1991.
One of the first to place his faith in the future of Australian table wines, Eric was at the forefront of varietal labelling in Australia – perhaps his greatest legacy was to create the ‘Special Bin’ range of reds, beginning with a Shiraz in 1948.
Selected from the most outstanding casks produced on the Estate from a particular vintage, these wines became known as ‘Reserve’ in 1985. From 2002 they fittingly carry his name and signature: 'Eric Stevens Purbrick'. And so, a ‘new’ legacy with its roots firmly planted in the history of the Estate was born.
Alister Purbrick ~ 4th Generation
“You can taste a character of place and feel the voices of the past. These impressive and beautifully crafted wines are wonderful expressions of Australian terroir.”
Andrew Calliard MW ~ Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine
Enjoy Now to 2035+
Deliciously ripe red and dark berry fruits are the basis of a solidly constructed wine, nuanced with exotic spices, redcurrant, black pepper and licorice notes. New and older French oak is well integrated with firm but fine tannins present on a long and stylish finish.
A wine of polish and distinction that will develop added intricacy with extended cellaring, but if the wait seems beyond your willpower then enjoy now with a venison carpaccio or lamb, olive and caramelised onion tagine.
“Pretty much my mind’s eye for Central Victoria. A layer of glossy black and blue fruit laced with eucalyptus and hints of brown spice. And while there is substantially more extract and tannins in play here, there’s still smooth flow across the palate, making a good bet each way. Now or the cellar, it should reward.”
David Bicknell | Halliday Wine Companion 2020 | www.winecompanion.com.au
“This has earthy ironstone and spice overtones to its raspberry and cassis aromas. An elegant, medium- to full-bodied wine with firm but measured
tannins and a persistent finish. It will benefit from cellaring.” 95 POINTS | 5 GOLD STAR
Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine | Top 10 New Release Australian Reds
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