Enjoy Now to 2030/2034
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 ; but 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.
Cheers,
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
Best of a vintage’ is a mantle that this 2017 ‘Eric Stevens Purbrick’ Shiraz wears very easily.
A symphony of deliciously ripe dark plum and red berry fruits is joined by a background chorus of black pepper, exotic spices and liquorice notes. Well integrated French oak and earthy tannins give supporting structure to a wine of style and distinction, presented under a replica 1870s Tahbilk label.
Further complexity will develop out to 2030/2034.
“Your classic Central Victorian shiraz in a nutshell, with a down-to-earth (literally) appeal of baked earth, Aussie bush scents mingling with ripe blackberries and woody oak spice. The palate is full and generous, with a lingering, smoky savouriness. Traditional, yes, in keeping with its namesake, who knew a thing or two and established the Tahbilk red wine style.”
Jeni Port | www.winecompanion.com.au
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