Château Tanunda releases its 2023 Collection – a sought-after range of wines from the Geber family showcasing vine age.
These rare and collectable wines from the Château Tanunda’s Old Vines Expressions range are produced from 50, 100 and 150-year-old vineyards that have survived depressions, droughts, and the vine pull schemes of the 1980s. These vines continue to supply fruit that displays the authentic and intense character of the Barossa Valley terroir.
“The Barossa region boasts some of the oldest vines in the world across Australia’s revered wine varieties, and through our distinguished network of grower partners, we have access to many of them,” Château Tanunda, generational family member and Managing Director Michelle Geber, said.
“Our 2023 Collection release is a testament to the history of wine growing in the Barossa. These wines reflect what the Barossa is world-famous for – wines of generosity, flavour, character and elegance, influenced by our modern approach. We’re incredibly proud to continue the 130-year legacy of Château Tanunda with the release of these exceptional wines.”
The 50-Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (RRP $80) represents less than 2% of the region’s plantings. The grapes are sourced from the banks of Bethany Creek, from vines planted in the 1960s. The grapes are fermented in small open fermenters and basket pressed before 18 months of maturing in French oak barriques (25% new).
The 50-Year-Old Vines Shiraz 2019 (RRP $80) is from Tanunda’s Estate vineyard in the Vine Vale subregion and represents just 4% of Barossa’s Shiraz plantings. The grapes were hand plunged in small open fermenters and basket pressed before 24 months of maturation in French oak (20% new).
Château Tanunda is releasing its 100-Year-Old Vines Shiraz 2019 (RRP $180). These centenarian, ungrafted vines are dry-grown as bush vines and were planted around the time construction on the Château began. Select parcels of the fruit are handpicked and fermented in small open fermenters with hand plunging four times daily before gentle basket pressing to extract tannin and colour. The wine is then aged in French oak (20% new) for 24 months.
The 150-Year-Old Vines Semillon 2021 (RRP $70) is crafted from 0.17% of the region’s plantings. Only 11.9 hectares of vines over 150 years exist in the Barossa; the grapes are handpicked, hand sorted, and gently basket pressed. After fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel, the wine is matured in seasoned French oak barrels with regular lees stirring for seven months to enhance flavour and structure whilst building complexity. With only 220 dozen available, the wine is only available exclusively through Château Tanunda’s Barossa Valley and Sydney Cellar Doors.
The 2018 vintage release of the 150-Year-Old Vines 1858 Field Blend (RRP $500) has gained a reputation as a cult wine. This unique field blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Malbec is crafted from some of the first vine cuttings planted in Australia. It is from one of the oldest single vineyard sites in the world. The grapes are handpicked and fermented in one-ton open fermenters with regular hand-plunging. The wine is then basket pressed, bottled, unfined and unfiltered. In the best vintages, this block only yields one ton of grapes, with just over 103 dozen made.
Château Tanunda’s The Everest Shiraz 2019 (RRP $330) is made from superior vintages in the best barrels of old vine wines. Production of this wine is limited, with only 65 dozen available.
Château Tanunda’s 2023 Collection is available from the winery’s Barossa Valley and Sydney Cellar Doors online at www.chateautanunda.com and from fine wine retailers.
