The Tahbilk winery is like a living museum and a must visit for any wine lover. Named after Francois Coueslant, the winemaker and manager at Tahbilk from 1877 to 1886. Credited as being responsible for the construction of the iconic Tahbilk Tower and led the fight against the vine louse phylloxera when it appeared on the Estate in 1870 (which wiped out nearly all of Europe’s vineyards). This Sparkling Shiraz a reminder that this style works well with our modern cuisine!

Tahbilk, Coueslant, Sparkling Shiraz, Nagambie Lakes, 2021

Blue steak meatiness strikes plum tart, choco berry and eucalyptus, black cherry, blackberry, fresh leather, warm fruit cake, anise. There’s a robustness, even gregariousness to the mousse that demands attention for good times. Black, herbal tinged fruit, dusted with native forest and ganache. Once the froth blows away, there’s a fine concentration of ripe black/red fruit and some impressive acidity and that anise savoury spice. The fruit sweetness can infer simplicity, but this is far from simple. Match to Char Siu pork or roast ham, or a warm beetroot salted chocolate cake.

RRP: $26.95
Alc: 13.5%
Rating:  93/100

Wine sample courtesy of Tahbilk