Merlot (69%) and Cabernet Franc (31%) from the 37 million year old soils of the then 41 year old Tapanappa Whalebone vineyard. 2015 dry and slightly warmer than usual. 20 months maturation in French oak (50% new, 50% 1 year old). Bottled under cork. Winemaker Brian Croser has held back an amount of this wine in the Tapanappa cellars and coming out at only a small amount over the current release RRP.

Tapanappa, Whalebone Vineyard, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Wrattonbully, 2015

Medium deep garnet to ruby rim still there. Still fresh with a core of berry fruit: black, boysen and blue. White pepper, powdered cocoa, cedar and vanilla still offering some winemaking influence. There’s a hint of development with nori sheet/beef stock umami, steel and earth underneath that prevailing primary profile. There’s rose petals, brewed tea and just rained on Aussie bush (eucalyptus). The palate also showing the elements of development: There’s regional choc mint freshness that gives a comforting wrapper around blackcurrant and buttered fruit cake spice. Fleshy, flowing and complex: the tannic interplay with the fruit reminds you that at 10 years of age, there’s a lot of life left.

RRP: $115
Alc: 14.8%
Rating: 95/100

Wine sample courtesy of Tapanappa