Tapanappa Whalebone Merlot Cab Franc 2009

Description

Brian Croser really needs no introduction.  Having founded the iconic winery Petaluma in the 70’s, Brian is recognised as Australia’s leading exponent of terroir driven wines.  He has been awarded the Order of Australia, Decanter Wine Magazine ‘Man of the Year’ and many other accolades for his life long contribution and service to the Australian wine industry.  Having sold Petaluma in 2001, the Croser family, along with their business partners the Bollinger Champagne family set up Tapanappa Wines on some of the countries most distinguised vineyard sites; 30 year old Tiers Vineyard, Piccadilly Valley, Adelaide Hills; 35 year old Whalebone Cabernet/Shiraz vineyard in Wrattonbully and pioneering Foggy Hill Pinot Noir Vineyard on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia.
Floral and briary aromas attributable to Cabernet Franc combined with the plum-sauce aromas of cool grown, fully ripe Merlot. The flavours are intense but refined with the freshness and vibrancy of Cabernet family blackcurrant and spice accentuated by the smoky and minty hallmarks of the Whalebone terroir.
The most endearing aspect of this cool vintage wine is the beautiful and significant tannin structure folding into an even mouth coating savoury finish.  2009 was a great vintage at the Whalebone Vineyard and the wine will reward cellaring for at least two decades.
94 points James Halliday  … “A 64/36% blend matured for 22 months in 70% new French oak. Bright, light hue, still youthful; a complex wine from start to finish, the bouquet expressive, the medium-bodied palate with many messages of savoury red fruits, black olive and briar, corralled by fine, but persistent, tannins. Drink 2024+”

94 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front  “Brian Croser has always been a keen believer in merlot in the Coonawarra/Wrattonbully region, and continues to be.

Such a fragrant wine. So leafy and yet so insistent. Muscular and elegant at once. Briar, tobacco, black cherry, ash, ripe plum, toasty oak. It’s a bright, refreshing style, yet inbuilt, sturdy tannin is a key feature. Excellent length. Style. It’s another impressive release.  Drink 2026+”
17 points Jancis Robinson
RRP $92    LAST BOTTLES OF THIS VINTAGE!  Aged to perfection and on song now!