Tarrahill Le Savant

Style: Tarrahill Le Savant is Cabernet Sauvignon ( minimum 85%), sometimes blended with a little Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, or Petite Verdot or combination of one or more of these other varieties depending on the year and results of blending trials. The Yarra Valley has a long history of making superb cabernets and Tarrahill is aiming to play a part in maintaining that reputation.

Clone: The clone of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon plantings is unknown. New plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon are SAV 112, WA Cape Selection and 125, all grafted on Teleki 5C rootstock. There are 3 clones of Cabernet Franc ( 1334, P58 and C7V15) , Malbec (Kalimna 1,Kalimna 3 and 1056) and Merlot (MAT2, 8R, and Q45-15) all grafted on Paulsen 1103 rootstock and one clone of Petit Verdot (G7V1) also on Paulsen 1103 rootstock.

Wood: French oak ( principally Francois Freres)

Reviews:

Tarrahill Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 won silver at the International Cool Climate Wine Show 2014

Tarrahill. Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Rated: 94 Points Halliday’s Wine Companion

“Elegant medium-bodied, cassis-driven: fine, supple tannins, integrated oak, good length.”

Tarrahill. Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

RATED: 97 Points Halliday’s Wine Companion
”Includes 15% shiraz, matured in Francois Freres French oak (30% new). This is .. a wine of immense distinction driven by the quality and style of the cabernet fruit. I cannot evaluate the impact of the shiraz, not being present at the blending trials (or any other time), but this is the epitome of Yarra Valley cabernet.”

Tarrahill Le Savant 2016

Rated: 96 points Halliday’s Wine Companion

“Includes 2% shiraz, matured in french oak (25% new) for 12 months. Densely coloured, comes from the same school as the [2016} Shiraz with its densely packed fruit flavours and ripe tannins joining hands on the long,even, velvety palette. This is natural fruit, not extracted. A unique wine in the context of the Yarra Valley, but has to have time - 10+ years. 13.8% alc. To 2046

Rated: 92 Points Campbell Mattinson, Winefront Review

“Mostly made with Yarra Valley cabernet sauvignon but with a small inclusion of shiraz. This is Tarrahill’s flagship release, in terms of its internal hierarchy.

Interesting wine. Mid weight at most, the flavours painted as much with water- as oil-based paints, so to speak. Boysenberry, light blackcurrant, cocoa and bay leaves. Tannin is about as emery-board fine as can be, though it creeps up on you as the wine breathes. Herbal notes hover like low-flying drones. Come back in five or more years.” 

Tarrahill Le Savant 2017 won gold at the National Single Vineyard Wine Show 2019.