A blend of 53.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 14.5% Shiraz from the 37 million year old soils of the now 51 year old Tapanappa Whalebone vineyard (a vineyard which Brian Croser says he is ‘in awe’ of). Bottled under cork. 2021 was a ‘model’ vintage according to Brian. Maturation in barriques (50% new) for 18 months before blending, bottling and resting before release.

Tapanappa, Whalebone Vineyard, Cabernets, Merlot, Shiraz, Wrattonbully, 2021

Deep garnet with a soft velvet rim. Aromas complex and calm: rose petals, drinking cocoa and cassis with blueberries and raspberries, blood plum, new leather, cedar, a small amount of rosemary (leaf and flower), a touch of vanilla, graphite and black tea. There’s an ancient quality to the wine, evoking the soils that have given it life. Sumptuous dark fruit, mid-weight elegance and with a beautiful mesh of hyper-fine grained tannins which will be scaffold for many years to come.

RRP: $90
Alc: 14.9%
Rating: 95/100

Wine sample courtesy of Tapanappa